(Apr 06, 2014, (Paris (AFP))--Ethiopia's legendary runner Kenenisa Bekele notched up another impressive milestone in an already glittering career by winning the Paris Marathon on Sunday, his first attempt at the gruelling event.
The 31-year-old 5,000m and 10,000m world record crossed the line in an event record time of 2hr 5min 02secs after negotiating a sunbathed course of 42.195km (26.22 miles) through the streets of the French capital.
The previous Paris record was held by Kenya's Stanley Wiwott who clocked 2hr 05:10 in 2012. Fellow Ethiopian Limenih Getachew came home second at 2hr 06.49secs with Luka Kanda of Kenya, the 2012 Rome winner, claiming the final spot on the podium crossing the line in 2hr 08.02. "It was my first marathon and I didn't have much experience," said Bekele, the 31-year-old triple Olympic champion. "It was very tough but it was the time I expected. After 25km I pushed alone but it was very tough." added..
Bekele emulated his great compatriot Haile Gebreselassie who also made a successful step from the track to marathon and has the third fastest time in history. Bekele made his move with about 25km to run and opened up a lead that may have been even more significant had he not struggled with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. Read more from AFP »
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| Ethiopian runner Bekele Kenenisa warms up before the star EFE/EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT |
The previous Paris record was held by Kenya's Stanley Wiwott who clocked 2hr 05:10 in 2012. Fellow Ethiopian Limenih Getachew came home second at 2hr 06.49secs with Luka Kanda of Kenya, the 2012 Rome winner, claiming the final spot on the podium crossing the line in 2hr 08.02. "It was my first marathon and I didn't have much experience," said Bekele, the 31-year-old triple Olympic champion. "It was very tough but it was the time I expected. After 25km I pushed alone but it was very tough." added..
Bekele emulated his great compatriot Haile Gebreselassie who also made a successful step from the track to marathon and has the third fastest time in history. Bekele made his move with about 25km to run and opened up a lead that may have been even more significant had he not struggled with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. Read more from AFP »
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