Kenyan Josepheth Ndeti was the surprise winner of the 21st Abebe Bikila International Marathon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, held on Sunday (12 June), while Werknesh Tola took the women’s race.
A little-known Kenyan Ndeti, took an impressive 2:21:22 win over a course ranging over 2400-2700m altitude with two up hills towards the finish.
A leading pack of ten athletes had remained in contention by the 30th kilometre, but Ndeti made his penultimate break at the 37th kilometre with only two athletes able to follow him. But Ndeti’s experience- fourth over the Paris Marathon three years ago- proved too much for Dereba Mergia and Tesfaye Bogale. Ndeti eventually finished more than two minutes of Mergia (2:24:02) and a further second ahead of Bogale (2:24:03) who thrilled the crowd to a fantastic sprint finish.
After the race, a delighted Ndeti said that a win in Addis Ababa had succeeded his modest expectations from the race. “I thought that the competition would be more difficult before coming here,” he said. “But this is a great win for me.”
Tola stops the clock to an outstanding halt
There was little surprise in the women’s race, however, with Werknesh Tola, member of the Ethiopian team in the Athens Olympics and second in the Seoul Marathon this year, winning in a time of 2:54.08 from Terengo Getachew (2:54.14) with Geshu Mendaye finishing a second adrift.
Elshadai Negash for the IAAF
NOTE. Apologies for the latest of the report which was delayed by the current social unrest in Ethiopia
21st Abebe Bikila International Marathon Official Results
Men
1. Josepheth Ndeti (Kenya) 2:21:22
2. Dereba Mergia (Ethiopia) 2:24:02
3. Tesfaye Bogole (Ethiopia) 2:24:03
Women
1. Werkenesh Tola (Ethiopia) 2:54:08
2. Terengo Getachew (Ethiopia) 2:54:14
3. Geshu Mendaye (Ethiopia) 2:24:15
