Surprise Winners in Dubai

Tamirat Tola broke the course record with 2:04:11 while Kenenisa Bekele dropped out at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. On the women’s side, debutant Worknesh Degefa took the race with 2:22:36.

It was all-Ethiopian podium in both men and women. Tamirat Tola won the men’s race with 2:04:11, improving his personal best by more than two minutes. Mule Wasihun and Sisay Lemma finished in second and third positions with 2:06:46 and 2:08:04 respectively.

The pre-race favourite Kenenisa Bekele, who aimed to break the world record in Dubai, fell right at the start after being tripped from behind, and lost contact to the leading group. Bekele dropped out at around 23rd kilometre.

In the women’s race, 26 year-old debutant Worknesh Degefa finished first in a time of 2:22:36. Shure Demise  was second in 2:22:57 and Yebrgual Melese took third with 2:23:13.

Both winners collected 200,000 Dollars each.