Tirunesh Dibaba, photo by PhotoRun.net
MANCHESTER (GBR, May 28): In her first race since the London Marathon, Tirunesh Dibaba cruised to her fourth win in the Great Manchester Run in 31:03 ahead of European marathon champion Christelle Daunay of France (33:08) and Katrina Wootton (33:18). There was an American one-two in the men’s race through Dathan Ritzenhein (28:06) and Bernard Lagat (28:13) with Stephen Mokoka third in 28:22. Former world marathon record-holder Wilson Kipsang was fifth in 28:26, one place ahead of top Brit Andy Vernon (28:36).
RunBlogRun opines: Tirunesh Dibaba ran a 2:17:57 for the marathon at the Virgin Money London marathon on April 23, despite two bouts of stomach distress. Dibaba has run two marathons, and she obviously has serious wheels. Nice run by Dathan Ritzenhein, who is on his way back to a fine level of fitness. Bernard Lagat, at 41, is looking pretty amazing. Nice to see Wilson Kipsang running so well and Andy Vernon is continuing to show his high level of fitness.
But, in 2017, this was an act of defiance. The attack last Monday, May 22, at the Manchester Arena, at the end of the Ariana Grande concert, killed 22 and injured 69 people. The CityGames happened on May 26, and the race happened May 28. Both went without incident, and both were supported by the people and the city of Manchester.
And it was good.
