Abshero, Medessa win Dubai Marathon
Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia won the Dubai Marathon on Friday, setting a course record of 2 hours, 4 minutes, 23 seconds in his first marathon, giving his country a morale-boosting victory over rivals Kenya in an Olympic year.
The 21-year-old moved up to the full marathon distance after having broken the hour mark in the half marathon in the Hague last year.
Abshero surged to the front of a pack at the 34 kilometre (21.13 miles) mark and then pulled away from his compatriot Dino Sefir Kemal at 39 kilometres (24.2 miles) to win the race by 27 seconds over Kemal. Markos Geneti was third, completing a clean sweep of the placings for Ethiopia.
"I prepared very well for this marathon. Even though this is my first marathon, I was confident I would perform well," Abshero said. "By winning, I'm very happy. For the next marathon, this win will be a big motivation ... If I can go to the Olympics, I will try and do something special."
Abshero's time was 30 seconds faster than the course record set by the great Haile Gebrselassie in 2008, a record Abshero said called "surprising" and "unbelievable."
Abshero was among a group of 30 runners who jumped out to the front early in the $1 million marathon that started in the shadows of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. The mostly flat route took runners along the Persian Gulf coast where the lead back was reduced to nine and then four before finishing at the Burj Khalifa.
"I knew it would be a very hard race and very tactical race," Abshero said. "At 38 kilometre (23.61 miles), there were four runners and at 42 kilometres (26.10 miles), I started to push. The other guys were dropping back and it was at that moment I knew i would win the race."
Abshero's victory was unexpected not only because of his inexperience but because of the number of top Kenyans entered in the race.
But the likes of five-time major winner Martin Lel of Kenya and the 2011 champion David Barmasai of Kenya couldn't keep pace and dropped out of contention with about 10 kilometres (6 miles) to go.
The win, which returns Ethiopians to the top spot in Dubai following Gebrselassie hat trick of victories from 2008-2010, also puts a dent in the dominance of Kenyans who won every major marathon last year and would have been banking on gold in the upcoming Olympics in London.
In the women's race, defending champion Aselefech Mergia made it an Ethiopian double as she held off Lucy Kabuu of Kenya by just three seconds, winning in 2 hours 19 minutes and 31 seconds. Kabuu, running her first marathon after being a force at 10 000 metres, briefly held the lead in the closing stages but Mergia passed her and held on for the victory.
Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba was third, 21 seconds behind compatriot Mergia.
"This is special day for me," Mergia said. "Last year, I was first and then again this year. It brings me great happiness."
A third place finisher at the 2010 London Marathon, Mergia said she turned to her experience when it mattered to edge Kabuu.
"Lucy can run a fast half-marathon but in this case I am the experienced marathon runner," Mergia said. "I had the advantage. The last few kilometres were very tough because there was big competition between us. But after 41 kilometres (25.48 miles), there was a gap between us and I knew that I was going to win the race."
RESULTS
Men
1. Ayele Abshero, Ethiopia, 2 hours, 4 minutes, 23 seconds.
2. Dino Sefir Kemal, Ethiopia, 2:04:50.
3. Markos Geneti, Ethiopia, 2:04:54.
4. Jonathan Maiyo, Kenya, 2:04:56.
5. Tadesse Tola, Ethiopia, 2:05:10.
6. Yami Dadi, Ethiopia, 2:05:41.
7. Abdullah Shami Dawit, Ethiopia, 2:05:42.
8. Deressa Chimsa Edea, Ethiopia, 2:05:42.
9. Seboka Tola, Ethiopia, 2:06:17.
10.Yemane Adhane, Ethiopia, 2:06:29.
Women
1. Aselefech Mergia, Ethiopia, 2:19:31.
2. Lucy Kabuu, Kenya, 2:19:34.
3. Mare Dibaba, Ethiopia, 2:19:52.
4. Bezunesh Bekele Sertsu, Ethiopia, 2:20:30.
5. Aberu Shewaye, Ethiopia, 2:20:33.
6. Lydia Cheromei, Kenya, 2:21:30.
7. Sharon Cherop Jemutai, Kenya, 2:22:39
8. Atsed Tesema, Ethiopia, 2:23:13.
9. Mamitu Molisa, Ethiopia, 2:24:24.
10.Isabella Andersson, Sweden, 2:25:41.