Ethiopians sweep midnight marathon

Ethiopians swept the men's elite races in the 11th edition of the Bengaluru Midnight Marathon at KTPO, Whitefield here.

Ashenafi Boja Baysa dominated the men's full marathon, winning in two hours 21 minutes and 11 seconds. His compatriot Kindu Sewmehon Tiruneh was well behind in second place, clocking 2:23:22 while Ababa Asefa Bekele came third in 2:25:66.

Ethiopians were in command in the half-marathon segment as well. It was a close finish though, with Degefa Yohamese (1:04:36.38) edging out Zelalem Lema Alemu (1:04:36.46). Semir Naser claimed the third spot in 1:05:17.

Among Indians, Santosh clocked 2:29:28 to emerge winner in the full marathon while  Anbu Kumar topped the half-marathon in 1:09:43.

The women's full marathon was won by Rajkumari Patel in a leisurely 3:37:49.

Results: Men:  Full marathon: Ashenafi Boja Baysa (Ethiopia) 2:21:11, 1; Kindu Sewmehon Tiruneh (Ethiopia) 2:23:22, 2;  Ababa Asefa Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:25:56, 3.

Indians: Santosh (2:29:28) 1;  Shridhar (2:29:33) 2;  Jegadheeshan (2:29:38), 3.

Half-marathon:  Degefa Yohamese (Ethiopia) 1:04:36:38, 1;  Zelalem Lema Alemu (Ethiopia) 1:04:36:46, 2;  Semir Naser (Ethiopia) 1:05:17, 3.

Indians:  Anbu Kumar (1:09:43) 1;  Borappa M (1:12:22) 2;  Vadivel (1:13:29) 3.

10K run: Indians: Dhanesh (32:54) 1;  Vicky (32:56) 2;  Manikandan (33:06) 3.

Women:  Full marathon: Rajkumari Patel (3:37:49) 1;  Prabhavati Rawat (3:53:02) 2;  Poonam Singh (4:07:10), 3.

Half-marathon:  Rajashri Tarihal (1:29:12) 1;  V Soniya (1:32:46) 2;  Neera Katwal (1:37:13) 3.

10K run:  Preenu Yadav (38:43) 1;  Richa Bhadauriya (38:44) 2;  Shruthi KC (39:21), 3.