African athletes dominate medals Eurasia Marathon
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Around 13,000 athletes from 88 countries participate in the marathon and 15-kilometer race in the Eurasia Marathon, while the fun run attrects almost 80,000 people
Kenyans and Ethiopians swept medals in the 34th edition of the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon yesterday, with Stephan Chebogut clinching gold ahead of his fellow countrymen and Koren Jelela Yal winning the women’s gold. Ethiopian athletes won both gold medals in the 15-kilometer race.Chebogut finished the race that started on the Anatolian side of Istanbul and ended on the European side in 2:11:05, while Kiprotich Yegon came in second at 2:15:35 and Evans Kiplagat clinched the bronze medal with 2:16:43.
Ethiopian athletes dominated the women’s competition. Yal won the gold in 2:28:06, 32 seconds ahead of Amane Gobena, also from the same country. Sultan Haydar became the top performing Turkish athlete by clinching the bronze medal in the women’s competition.
Athlete dies during race
The marathon, however, was marred by a death. A 34-year-old Turkish athlete, Ali Ferda Anıl, who was competing in the 15k event, died during the race due to a heart attack.
Ethiopians also dominated the 15k race. Biruk Demiye won the men’s competition, while the gold in the women’s competition went to Seboka Seyfu.
Ethiopian-origin Turkish athlete Elvan Abeylegesse, back from a long-time injury, followed Seyfu in second place and another Turkish athlete, Türkan Özata, claimed third in the 15k event.
A total of $1,000,000 in prize money was distributed between the marathon, 15-kilometer and eight-kilometer races.
The men’s and women’s marathon winners each received $50,000. Runners-up received $25,000 and third placers got $15,000.
Around 13,000 athletes from 88 countries participated in the marathon and 15-kilometer race. Speaking after the marathon, Chebogut noted that it was his best time of the season. “Following an injury, I did not have many chances to race last season,” said the Kenyan athlete. “I’m really happy with my performance and the result here.”
Silver medalist Yegon said he did his best. “It was great to race in such a mesmerizing city,” he told reporters.
Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş said the target is to make the Eurasia Marathon one of the top six marathons in the world.
Speaking to reporters on the Bosphorus Bridge during the eight-kilometer fun run, Topbaş said interest in the event has been steadily rising. “Many people from around the country and professional athletes from around the world are here to participate in the intercontinental event,” the mayor said.
Bett leads Kenyan sweep in Athens Marathon
ATHENS – The Associated Press
Raymond Kimutai Bett led a Kenyan sweep of the top six places at the 30th Athens Classic Marathon yesterday.
Bett won in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 35 seconds, followed by compatriots Paul Kibet Kosgei in 2:12:20 and Alex Sumko Kirui in 2:12:26. It was Bett’s second victory at the event. He also won in 2010. Bett’s time was the best ever at the annual event, but 40 seconds behind the course record of 2:10:55 set by Stefano Baldini of Italy when the 2004 Athens Olympics was run over the same course. The course’s long hilly stretches prevent runners from clocking world record-challenging times. Consalater Chemtai Yadaa of Kenya won the women’s race in 2 hours, 40 minutes, beating Ukraine’s Svitlana Stanko by seven seconds. Viola Chelangat Kimeno of Kenya was third, a further 21 seconds behind.
The Athens Classic Marathon is run over the route said to have been taken by a messenger to announce the Athenians’ victory over a Persian army near the village of Marathon in 490 B.C.
