Mark Korir runs 2:05:48 in Paris, Mengistu wins tight battle in 2:23:26, from Alberto Stretti, EME News

Marc Korir, photo by PhotoRun.net

PARIS (FRA, Apr 12): Mark Korir and Meseret Mengistu were the winners of the 39th Schneider Electris Paris Marathon. The men’s race saw a dramatic conclusion, with Mike Kigen of Kenya opening up a gap and looking set for victory until his compatriot Mark Korir closed the gap and made his own bid for the title inside the last 5km. There was a negative split after 63:23 first half then 62:26 second. Korir, who finished second at the Paris half marathon last month, ran to his first marathon victory in a big PB of 2:05:49. Kigen suffered in the latter stages and was passed by Luke Kanda (2:07:20 PB) and Seboka Tola (2:07:33), eventually finishing fourth in 2:07:42. In fifth was Gilbert Kirwa with 2:07.42. During the cutting edge of the women’s race, the lead group was made up of Mengistu of Ethiopia, her compatriot Amane Gobena and Visiline Jepkesho of Kenya. With Gobena setting the pace, Jepkesho was the first to drop. Gobena forged ahead in the last kilometres, but Mengistu was not done and caught and passed her compatriot in the last 500m to take the title in 2:23:26 PB, almost 6 minutes better than her previous best. Gobena followed in 2:23:30 PB, with Jepkesho improving to 2:24:44 in third. The race was dominated by Ethiopians, with 7 in the top 8. Meskere Assefa (2:25:58), Marta Megra (2:26:20 PB), and Bruktayit Eshetu (2:26:48) rounded out the top 6, with one of the pre-race favourites Emily Ngetich of Kenya only 9th in 2:30:47. Best French and Europeans in 11th position Abdellatif Meftah 2:11:13 and Martha Komu as 10th in 2:33:33. European CC Champion Sophie Duarte gave up after 33 km. New impressive record of 41 342 participating runners including 18 000 international ones representing 150 nations. With the help of Alberto Stretti.

The Brooks Run Guide, A Brooks Coaching Newsletter, Back Issues (#1-#10), Fall/Winter 2025

Korir 2:02:24 PB from Petros 2:04:03 NR/EL

Joyciline Jepkosgei runs 2:14:00 WL/CR at Valencia, defeats Peres Jepchirchir

(Editor’s note: The Paris marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world, and probably the second largest. The women’s race was a real battle and great comments on Universal coverage this year. Last year, with Kenenisa Bekele, the race was in the spotlight, and this year, it was an oh, um…Truth be told, the second half is tough and the amount of Parisians who can get on the course and run next to the elite is quite alarming. On the other hand, running through the streets of Paris makes this a huge draw for Americans and Europeans. I still have not gotten over the French runner, with a three day beard, cigar in mouth, having run the 26.2 dressed as Minnie Mouse.)

Author

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys.

Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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