by Larry Eder
Mary Keitany is now 4-4 in the half marathon distance, with today’s win at the Zayed Half Marathon, in a swift 1:07, in Abu Dhabi, photograph by PhotoRun.net.
Mary Keitany and Tilahun Regassa had very nice pay days of $300,0000 US today as they won the Zayed Half Marathon in Abu Dhabi! However, that was only PART of the story…per the National, 20,000 school kids held up some of the runners of the 6k, elite athletes were not told of the change in starting times the night before and some athletes claimed that they were held up. There is a wonderful picture of runners dodging baby carriages and people crossing the street during the 6k race. For more on this, please read: http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100108/SPORT/100106988/1004/sport
Tilahun Regassa, the winner of the Zayed Half marathon in Abu Dhabi today, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net
KEITANY REMAINS UNBEATEN, REGASSA BEATS KITWARA
ABU DHABI (UAE, Jan 7): World Half Marathon champion Mary Keitany won her fourth half-marathon in a row at second Zayed Half Marathon in Abu Dhabi in excellent 1:07:14 what is new event record. She beat with huge margin her team-mate and silver winner from HM Worlds in Birmingham Fyles Ongori (1:09:16). Third was the best Ethiopian of the day, former Boston winner Dire Tune who clocked 1:09:19. Fourth place for Berlin World Championships marathon bronze medalist Aselefech Mergia of Ethiopia in 1:09:21 ahead of Amane Gobena (also 1:09:21).
Top three men clocked sub one hour and young Ethiopian Tilahun Regassa scored the biggest win of his career in 59:19 PB, another event best. He beat Kenyan Sammy Kitwara clearly by 15 seconds (59:34). Third Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa achieved 59:59 lifetime best ahead of Kenyan Wilson Kipsang (1:00:04). 10 000 m olympic bronze medalist Micah Kogo debuted as 10th in 1:01:30. 10 km world champion Linet Masai did not compete at the end of the day. It is the richest half marathon with having first place prize money for men and women at 300 000 USD level. Second will get 200 000 and third 50 000 USD. The race started at Marina Mall and ended at the Emirates Palace Hotel. The route will take the runners along the Corniche and back again. UAE media expected around 15 000 participants in different races. The inaugural 2008 edition was won by Samuel Wanjiru (1:00:33) and Lornah Kiplagat (1:08:52).
