Dubai Marathon: Day of surprises

Dubai: It was a day of surprises at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday. Kenya's David Baramasai raced to victory to the throne owned for the past three years by the legendary Haile Gebrselassie — who did not run this year — with a career-best time of 2:07:18sec.

Before the surprise died down, within minutes, Ethiopia's Asselefech Mergia Medessa raced to victory shocking some renowned runners to win the women's marathon in 2:22:45sec.

Though it was a cold morning the hot battle for supremacy was electrifying. Speaking to Gulf News immediately after chesting the tape, Barmasai said: "I feel really great to win in my first attempt here. I speeded up after the 30km and put in all my effort. It's a nice course and I enjoyed running here."

The 23-year-old Barmasai finished 59 seconds ahead of strong favourite and compatriot Evans Cheruiyot (2:08:17sec). The third place once again went to Eshetu Wendimu of Ethiopia, who has been occupying the same position for the past two years.

Wendimu who has in the past played the role of pacemaker to Gebrselassie, finished in 2:08:54sec.

Ambition

In 2009, his timing was 2:08:41sec and last year he clocked 2:06:46. "I have one wish now and that is to win the Dubai Marathon. I have finished third for the third time here and I want to better it next time," said Wendimu to Gulf News.

For Medessa the winner's purse of $250,000 (Dh919,500) has turned out to be an early birthday gift. She will turn 26 tomorrow. Her time of 2:22:45sec fell just three seconds outside the course record yet it was an intense battle for the first place.

She won just 16 seconds ahead of Lydia Cheromei of Kenya, who recorded a career best timing of 2:23:01sec. Sweden's Isabella Anderson finished third with a timing of 2:23:41. It was a splendid show by the UAE national team women runners in the 10km race. Betlhem Belayneh Deslagn breezed to victory in 33.07, while Alia Mohammad, who also represents UAE in international races, finished second in 35:04. Belainesh Gurumu of Ethiopia clinched the third place in 35:04sec.

Morrocan runners clinched the first two positions in the 10km men's race. Ehya Ben Yousuf won in 30:36sec while Othmane Chaibi finished in 31:14sec. Twenty-year-old Ethiopia's Yassin Ebba finished third in 31:43 seconds.

"With Gebrselassie not running, the men's marathon title was free for anyone. It was an open marathon this year and the runners ran hard and made it exciting by stunning all strong contenders to emerge as the new champions," said Ahmad Al Kamali, General Co-ordinator of the Dubai Marathon.

Men's Marathon

David Baramasai (Kenya) 2:07:18

Evans Cheruyiot (Kenya) 2:08:17

Eshetu Wendimu (Ethiopia) 2:08:54

Women's Marathon

Aselefech Mergia Medessa (Ethiopia) 2:22:45

Lydia Cheromei (Kenya) 2:23:01

Isabella Anderson (Sweden) 2:23:41

Men's 10km:

1. Ehya Bem Yousuf (Morocco) 30:38

2. Othmane Chaibi (Morocco) 31:14

3. Yassin Ebba (Ethiopia) 31:43

Women's 10km:

1. Betlhem Belayneh Deslagn (UAE) 33:07

2. Alia Mohammad (UAE)35:04

3. Belainesh Gurumu, Ethiopia) 35:04