Ethiopian and Kenyan athletes dazzled at the 2023 Hong Kong Marathon staged on Sunday, February 12.
Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba produced a monstrous performance to run away with the men’s title.
Kipchumba, a one-time Generali München Marathon champion, reached the tape at 2:10.47 ahead of his opponents.
Also Read: Gabriele Rosa: Godfather of Kenyan Marathoners Exits After 30 Yrs
The Ethiopian duo of Limenih Getachew and Senbeta Geza Tadesse completed the podium places.
Getachew settle for a second-place finish in 2:11.25 ahead of Tadesse who clocked 2:11.59.
However, Kenyan female road runners had a difficult day in office failing to secure any of the top three positions.
Ethiopia’s Eticha Jimma braced the unfriendly weather conditions to lead her fellow countrywomen to a clean podium sweep.
The 35-year-old crossed the finishing line at 2:27.50 ahead of Sinke Dessie and Gadise Negesa.
Dessie and Gadise clocked 2:34.46 and 2:48.05, finishing a distance behind Jimma who ran under 2:30.00.
Kipchumba and Jimma pocketed a winner’s prize of USD30,000 (approximately Ksh3,600,000) each for their unmatchable performances.
However, since Jimma won the race under 2:28,00, the targeted time, she was awarded an extra USD10,000 ( approximately Ksh1,200,000).