Ethiopian runners emerge winners in Dubai Marathon
Olika Adugna Bikila and Worknesh Degefa emerge winners in the men's and women's category
Dubai: Debutant Olika Adugna Bikila emerged as the winner of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in the men’s race with a timing of 2:06:15.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa, who finished second last year, emerged the winner with a timing of 2:19:37.
It was a splendid race for Bikila, who made a brilliant last push from the 11 men tightly bunched group soon after the 40km mark, raced to victory and pocketed the $ 100,000 prize money. Bikila pushed Kenya’s Eric Kiptanui, who finished in 2:06:17, to second place. Ethiopia’s Tsedat Abeje Ayana finished third with a timing of 2:06:18. Except for Kenya’s Kipatanui all the first ten finishers were Ethiopians.
Women’s winner Degefa, who had announced on Wednesday that she had prepared very well to win the race this year after having finished second last year, despite battling a back pain won the race in style. She finished ahead of Guteni Shone Amana with a timing of 2:20: 11. Her compatriot Bedatu Hirpa Badane clinched the third place with a timing of 2:21:55.