Tsega Gelaw of Ethiopia comes home in the 2008 Chiba Ekiden (© Takefumi Tsutsui (AgenceSHOT))
Ethiopians Yared Daganw Sharew and Gelaw Tsega won the 21st edition of the Marakech Marathon on Sunday (31 Jan).
Sharew clocked 2:1o:20, a career best, to edge compatriot Gebressellassie Tsegay Reda (2:10:32) and Ahmed Baday (2:10:58) of Morocco.
In the women’s race, the victory went to Gelaw Tsega in 2:32:06, well ahead of Kenyan Georgina Rono (2:34:52) and another Ethiopian, Gebre Zebenaye Moges (2:39:13).
Sharew said he was delighted to win the race, particularly give the high level of the local athletes competing. "The organization of this event is excellent and the Marrakech marathon has become a great event on the list of major international competitions," he said.
For her part, Tsega, said she was proud to test her capabilities on a tour of Morocco, calling it a “very close” competition.
The event record of 2:08:15 set by Moroccan Abdelkader El Mouaziz has stood since 1999 and the women’s even longer. Adrian Barbu of Romania clocked 2:29:21 in 1994.
In the Half Marathon, the men’s race went to Ethiopian Bekele Azmiro whose 1:00:57 winning time was a race record. The previous standard of 1:01:22 was set by Kenyan Alan Ndiwa.
Moroccan Abdullah Falil was second in 1:01:15, followed by American Mohamed Trafeh (1:02:11) who was contesting his debut.
The women's title went to Kenyan Meriem Wangari who clocked 1:12:19.
Mohammed Benchraf for the IAAF
Leading Results -
MEN's Marathon:
1. Yared Daganw Sharew, ETH 2:10:20
2. Gebressellassie Tsegay Reda, ETH 2:10:32
3. Ahmed Baday, MAR 2:10:58
4. David Toniok, KEN 2:11:26
5. Khalid El Boumlili, MAR 2:11:56
6. Chelimo Luka Kipkemboi, KEN 2:12:28
7. Mourad Maaroufit, MAR 2:12:34
8. Siyoum Debele Lemma, ETH 2:13:10
WOMEN's Marathon:
1. Gelaw Tsega, ETH 2:32:06
2. Georgina Rono, KEN 2:34:52
3. Zebenay Moges Gebre, ETH 2:39:13
4. Asrat Ekebede Addis, ETH 2:39:35
5. Malika Asshssah, MAR 2:46:45
MEN's Half-Marathon:
1. Bekele Azmiro, ETH 1:00:57
2. Abdullah Falil, MAR 1:01:15
3. Mohamed Trafeh, USA 1:02:11
4. Rachid Kisri, MAR 1:02:13
5. Allan Ndiwa, KEN 1:02:17
WOMEN's Half-Marathon:
1. Meriem Wangari, KEN 1:12:19
2. Asma Laghzaoui, MAR 1:12:45
3. Amina Driouich, MAR 1:15:24
4. Hanane Elbajjaoui, MAR 1:15:28
5. Samira Raif, MAR 1:15:38
Sharew clocked 2:1o:20, a career best, to edge compatriot Gebressellassie Tsegay Reda (2:10:32) and Ahmed Baday (2:10:58) of Morocco.
In the women’s race, the victory went to Gelaw Tsega in 2:32:06, well ahead of Kenyan Georgina Rono (2:34:52) and another Ethiopian, Gebre Zebenaye Moges (2:39:13).
Sharew said he was delighted to win the race, particularly give the high level of the local athletes competing. "The organization of this event is excellent and the Marrakech marathon has become a great event on the list of major international competitions," he said.
For her part, Tsega, said she was proud to test her capabilities on a tour of Morocco, calling it a “very close” competition.
The event record of 2:08:15 set by Moroccan Abdelkader El Mouaziz has stood since 1999 and the women’s even longer. Adrian Barbu of Romania clocked 2:29:21 in 1994.
In the Half Marathon, the men’s race went to Ethiopian Bekele Azmiro whose 1:00:57 winning time was a race record. The previous standard of 1:01:22 was set by Kenyan Alan Ndiwa.
Moroccan Abdullah Falil was second in 1:01:15, followed by American Mohamed Trafeh (1:02:11) who was contesting his debut.
The women's title went to Kenyan Meriem Wangari who clocked 1:12:19.
Mohammed Benchraf for the IAAF
Leading Results -
MEN's Marathon:
1. Yared Daganw Sharew, ETH 2:10:20
2. Gebressellassie Tsegay Reda, ETH 2:10:32
3. Ahmed Baday, MAR 2:10:58
4. David Toniok, KEN 2:11:26
5. Khalid El Boumlili, MAR 2:11:56
6. Chelimo Luka Kipkemboi, KEN 2:12:28
7. Mourad Maaroufit, MAR 2:12:34
8. Siyoum Debele Lemma, ETH 2:13:10
WOMEN's Marathon:
1. Gelaw Tsega, ETH 2:32:06
2. Georgina Rono, KEN 2:34:52
3. Zebenay Moges Gebre, ETH 2:39:13
4. Asrat Ekebede Addis, ETH 2:39:35
5. Malika Asshssah, MAR 2:46:45
MEN's Half-Marathon:
1. Bekele Azmiro, ETH 1:00:57
2. Abdullah Falil, MAR 1:01:15
3. Mohamed Trafeh, USA 1:02:11
4. Rachid Kisri, MAR 1:02:13
5. Allan Ndiwa, KEN 1:02:17
WOMEN's Half-Marathon:
1. Meriem Wangari, KEN 1:12:19
2. Asma Laghzaoui, MAR 1:12:45
3. Amina Driouich, MAR 1:15:24
4. Hanane Elbajjaoui, MAR 1:15:28
5. Samira Raif, MAR 1:15:38
