Dubai: Ethiopian Ayele Abshero won the Dubai Marathon on Friday, breaking Haile Gebrselassie's 2008 record by clocking in at 2 hours, 4 minutes, 23 seconds in his first marathon.
The Ethiopian runners recorded a clean sweep at the Marathon with debutant Ayele racing past his countrymen Dino Sefir Kemal who finished in 2 hours 4 minutes and 50 seconds, and Markos Geneti clocking in four seconds later.
"I prepared very well for this marathon. Even though this is my first marathon, I was confident I would perform well," Abshero said. "By winning, I'm very happy. For the next marathon, this win will be a big motivation ... If I can go to the Olympics, I will try and do something special."
Abshero called it "surprising" and "unbelievable." He was among a group of 30 runners who jumped out to the front early in the $1 million marathon that started in the shadows of the Burj Khalifa.
"I knew it would be a very hard race and very tactical race," Abshero said. "At 38 kilometres, there were four runners and at 42 kilometres, I started to push. The other guys were dropping back and it was at that moment I knew I would win the race."
In the women’s race, defending champion Aselefech Mergia set a course record, winning in 2 hours 19 minutes and 31 seconds.
She finished ahead of Lucy Kabuu, the only Kenyan to clinch a place among the first three. Kabbu recorded 2 hours 19 minutes and 34 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba (2 hours 19 minutes and 52 seconds).
Kabbu, running her first marathon after being a force at 10,000 meters, briefly held the lead in the closing stages but Mergia passed her and held on for the victory. Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba was third, 21 seconds behind compatriot Mergia.
"This is special day for me," Mergia said. "Last year, I was first and then again this year. It brings me great happiness."
In the 10km women’s race UAE’s Bethlem won in 34 minutes and 14 seconds while Sahle Tekle from Eritrea won the men’s 10k in 28 minutes and 47 seconds.
With input from agencies
