Netsanet Abeyo lead Ethiopian women team to victory at Mumbai Marathon

Mumbai, India – Ethiopian Nestanet Achamo Abeyo clocked an impressive 2:26:12 to take the women’s crown while Laban Moiben of Kenya won in a close finish from another Ethiopian, Raji Assefa, to take the men’s title at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on Sunday (15).

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Personal best for Abeyo – women’s race

Unlike the men’s race, the top honours among the women were decided in the early stages.

Nestanet Achamo Abeyo, leading a pack of six of her teammates, crossed the 20k mark in 1:09:19. The fourth place finisher at last year’s Rome Marathon, Abeyo made her kick after the 25th kilometre and was at least 30 seconds ahead of her fellow runners for the major part of the rest of the race. Increasing her tempo on the return journey, she went on to clock a personal best and course record time of 2:26:12 for the women’s crown, more than four minutes faster than the second placed Fatuma Sado (2:30:20).

“I am happy to win here,” Abeyo said at the post-race press conference although it was visible to see the pain on her face, the sign of an all-out effort!

An innocent looking Sado, the pre-race favourite and just 20 years old, vowed to come back for the title next year.  She said a pain in her legs prevented her from keeping up with  Abeyo. Makda Harun was third in 2:30:47.   It was indeed a coup for Ethiopia, with taking the first dozen spots and three more within the top-20.

Both winners went home with USD 36,000 from the pool of USD 340,000 total prize money for this year’s event.

Leading Results: - Marathon

Men -

1. Laban Moiben KEN 2:10:48

2. Raji Assefa ETH 2:10:48 PB

3. John Kyui KEN 2:10:54

4. Gela Hailu ETH 2:11:32

5. Nixon Maschichin KEN 2:11:37

6. Siraj Gena ETH 2:12:33

14. Abdisa Sorri ETH 2:18:17

Women -

1. Nestanet Achamo Abeyo ETH 2:26:12 PB (New Course Record)

2. Fatuma Sado Dergo ETH 2:30:20

3. Makda Harun ETH 2:30:47

4. Ayelu Lemma Geda ETH 2:32:10 PB

5. Roman Gebregessese ETH 2:34:18

6. Fantu Jimma ETH 2:34:27

7. Ehitu Kiros Reda ETH 2:34:50 PB

8. Tadesse Defa Girma ETH 2:36:12

9. Worknesh Tola ETH 2:36:18

10. Marta Markos ETH 2:36:51

11. Aberesh Nesga Bedasa ETH 2:37:17

12. Radiya Adlo ETH 2:37:34

13. Lydia Rutto KEN 2:37:38 PB

14. Galume Chala ETH 2:40:55
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