New Delhi: Tsehay Gemechu smashed the course record while compatriot Andamalak Belihu overcame stiff competition in the men’s elite field as the Ethiopian duo raced to top honours of the Delhi Half Marathon here Sunday. It was a first-time victory at the course for both the winners.
Gemechu clocked 1:06:50, four seconds better than the earlier women’s course record of 1:06:54, which had been in the name of Kenya’s Mary Keitany since 2009. Current women’s half marathon world record holder, Joyciline Jepkosgei clinched the silver medal completing the race at 1:06:56 while another Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer (1:06:59s) grabbed the last spot on the podium.
However, Tirunesh Dibaba, the greatest ever woman distance runner in the world with three Olympic, five World Championship gold medals in 5000m and 10,000m, had a forgettable race as fatigue caught up with her finishing sixth.
Meanwhile, Belihu, who finished second last year, improved on his personal best clocking 59:18 seconds. Compatriot Amdework Walelegn clinched the silver ending the race with a time of 59:22 seconds while the bronze medal went to Kenya’s Daniel Kipchumba (59.48s).
Among the Indians, Abhishek Pal won the men’s race clocking 1:4:14s. Avinash Sable grabbed the silver with a timing of 1:04:14s, while Asian marathon champion Gopi T claimed the third spot on the podium finishing at 1:04:15s.
Youngster Sanjivani Jadhav was the best Indian in the women’s elite field finishing with a time of 1:13:58s. Parul Chaudhary and Monika Athare finished second and third respectively.