November 20, 2017 - Ethiopia’s athletes Berhanu Legese and reigning Olympic 10,000 metre champion Almaz Ayana won the respective elite men’s and women’s races at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon held in india.
Legese, who won the 2015 edition of the ADHM, clocked 59:46 minutes followed by fellow Ethiopian Andamlak Belihu and American Leonard Korir, who completed their races in 59:51 and 59:52 minutes respectively.
“I can’t express the happiness in words,” said an ecstatic Legese after the race.
The elite international women’s category saw a complete domination from the Ethiopians with Ayana completing her fantastic debut in half marathon with a timing of 1:07:11 followed by Ababel Yeshaneh (1:07:19) and Netsanet Gudeta (1:07:24).
After completing her maiden road racing event, Almaz the reigning World and Olympic felt participating in a half marathon was easier than her exploits on the track.
Ayana, who broke the 10,000 metre world record, set in 1993, by clocking 29 minutes at the Rio Olympics last year, however had little issues dealing with the early morning chill in the national capital.
“It is much easier to run a half marathon. There were a few problems with the road as I got confused. It was relatively colder which was also bit of an issue,” she said.
Source:- thestatesman.com