PARIS, April 11 – Kenyan duo Alfred Kering and Wilson Kipsang clinched second and third place respectively in Sunday’s Paris Marathon that was won by Ethiopia’s Tadesse Tola.
In just his second marathon, the 22-year-old Tola was the first male runner home in 2hr 06.41min.
"It’s really satisfying for my second marathon," said Tola, whose previous outing saw him finish in ninth spot in 2:15.48 in last year’s Chicago marathon.
Tola left the chasing pack behind four kilometres from the finish line in the race run around the streets of central Paris.
"From the 38km mark, I felt great and I knew I could win it."
His time was almost a minute off the course record of 2:05.47 set last year by Kenyan Vincent Kiprop.
Tola’s compatriot Atsede Baysa set a new course record set in the women’s race clocking 2:22.03 to smash the previous best of 2:23.05 set by Belgian Marlee Renders in 2002.
Second-placed Christelle Daunay also set a new French record, running 2:24.22 to break up an otherwise all-Ethiopian top five.
Results
Men
1. Tadesse Tola (ETH) 2hr 06min 41sec, 2. Alfred Kering (KEN) 2:07.11, 3. Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:07.13, 4. Benjamin Kiptoo (KEN) 2:08.01, 5. Daniel Kiprugut (KEN) 2:08.29
Women
1. Atsede Baysa (ETH) 2:22.04, 2. Christelle Daunay (FRA) 2:24.22, 3. Beyene Tsegaye Tirfi (ETH) 2:24.51, 4. Azalech Woldeselasse (ETH) 2:25.34, 5. Gurmu Workitu Ayanu (ETH) 2:29.25.
