Ethiopian women athletes swarm the 2022 Valencia Marathon
Addis Ababa, December 4, 2022 (FBC) – Ethiopian women atheletes ablazed the 2022 Valencia Marathon, as Athlete Amane Beriso claimed the top spot in women’s category on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
Athlete Amane Beriso upstaged Ethiopian compatriot and the 2022 world 10,000m champion, Letesenbet Gidey, in the women’s race to go third on the all-time list.
The pre-race build-up revolved around Letesenbet, who set the world half marathon record in Valencia last year, breaking Brigid Kosgei’s world record of 2:14:04 on her marathon debut.
She and fellow Ethiopian athlete Amane Beriso were soon clear of the field, but it was the 31-year-old – whose previous personal best was set in Dubai six years ago – who moved away in the closing 5km.
Amane clocked 2:14:58 to put her third in the all-time list, only bettered by Kosgei and another Kenyan, Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir.
Speaking afterwards, Amane said she was very happy but felt that she would have broken the world record had she received more help from pacemakers.
2nd placed Letesenbet Gidey clocked 2:16:49 for the fastest women’s marathon debut in history with Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui third in 2:17:29.
Other Ethiopian athletes Tadu Teshome (2:17:36), Tiruye Mesfin (2:18:47), Tigist Girma (2:18:52), and Etagegn Woldu (2:20:03) took 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th spots, respectively.
Meanwhile, Eritrean athlete, Dolshi Tesfu finished 9th, clocking 2:20:40.
The top seven women all broke 2:19, the most in a single race, with a number of national records set.
In men’s race, Ethiopian athletes Tamirat Tola (2:03:40), Chalu Deso (2:04:56), and Milkesa Mengesha (2:05:29) claimed 4th, 6th, and 7th spots, respectively.
Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya won the men’s category, clocking 2:01:53. He became the quickest marathon debutant in history.