Kenya’s Ruth Chebitok won the 40th edition of the Zurich Marató de Barcelona that was held on Sunday (11) in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
The half marathon specialist had to battle for honors with Ethiopian debut Beyene Belaynesh Tsegaye who pushed her to the limit until the 35km stretch where Chebitok powered ahead with a kick that the Ethiopian could not match to cut the tapoe in 2:25.49 missing 46 seconds to break the course record of 2:25.04 that was set last year by Ethiopian Helen Bekele.
Tsegay had to settle on second position as she crossed the line in 2:27.06 with her fellow country-mate and Worknesh Alemu much more experienced closing the podium three in 2:28.58
When addressing the press, Jebitok said, “I’m both surprised and satisfied with my outcome,” I consider myself a half marathon specialist but after such a positive experience like today’s I’m sure I’ll tackle the marathon more times. I might have run even faster today but my pacesetter Tom Payn suffered an injury by halfway; anyway, I completed a great run.”
Alemitu Begna also from Ethiopian took the fourth place in 2:30.54 with fifth place going to Kenyan Lucy Wanjiru who crossed the line in 2:35.42.
LEADING RESULTS
WOMEN
- Ruth Chebitok (KEN) 2:25:49
- Tsegaye Beyene (ETH) 2:27:06
- Worknesh Alemu (ETH) 2:28:19
- Alemitu Begna (ETH) 2:30:54
- Lucy Wanjiku (KEN) 2:35:42
