Mumbai, Jan 21: Ethiopian runners expectedly dominated the Mumbai Marathon as defending champion Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Aberash Minsewo won the men’s and women’s titles respectively, here on Sunday.
Among Indian men, Srinu Bugatha recorded the best finish with a timing of 2:17:29 and was followed by Gopi Thonakal (2:18:37) and Sher Singh Tanwar (2:19:37).
The top 10 elite men’s runners featured two Indians with Srinu placed at the eighth spot and Gopi at the 10th.
In the men’s elite event, Lemi recorded a second consecutive win in the gold label race with a timing of 2:07:50. Haymanot Alew (2:09:03) came second while Mitku Tafa (2:09:58) finished third.
Among women, Minsewo clinched the gold medal with a timing of 2:26:06 while compatriots Muluhabt Tsega was second with 2:26:51 and Medhin Bejene 2:27:34 came in third. While the victory was more memorable for Minsewo for the fact that she won it on her debut at the race, it was a special finish for the third-placed Bejene. Bejene gained 28 seconds in the last two kilometres to move to the third spot from the fourth. (PTI)
