Airtel Delhi Half Marathon: Belihu, Gemechu defend titles
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju was present to flag off the Marathon and cheer the runners.
Published : Oct 20, 2019 09:53 IST
Ethiopia's Tsehay Gemechu and Andamlak Belihu defended their titles at the 15th Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday. Gemechu had claimed two days ago,"I think another course record is a possibility," a claim she went on to validate, breaking her own record by 50 seconds. Ethiopia’s Belihu clocked a timing of 59:10 to defend his title at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, while Gemechu broke her event record and also produced her personal best with an impressive 66:00.
Belihu, who had won the prestigious IAAF Gold Label Race last year with a time of 59 minute 18 seconds, finished ahead of fellow Ethopian Solomon Berihu, who clocked 59:17.
Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie finished third with a timing of 59:33.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Yelamzerf Yehualaw clocked 1:06:01 to grab the second place, while zeineba yimer clocked 1:06:57 for the third place. In the Indian elite women’s category, Loganathan Suriya topped the podium(1:12:49), followed by Parul Chaudhary (1:13:55) and Chinta Yadav (1:15:28).
Suriya said," I had a great time running this year's half marathon in Delhi."
Srinu Bugatha, winner of 2019 Tata Mumbai half marathon, emerged victorious in the Indian elite men's category with a timing of 1:04:33. "I tried very hard to beat my best timing, but unfortunately I couldn't. Because I broke away from the rest of the runners and took a lead early on in the race, I couldn't record a better timing," Bugatha said.
RESULTS: International Men: Andamlak Belihu (ETH) 00:59:10; Solomon Berihu (ETH) 00:59:17; Kibiwott Kandie (KEN); 00:59:33.International women:
Tsehay Gemechu (ETH) 01:06:00; Yelamzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 01:06:01; Zeineba Yimer (ETH) 01:06:57.
Indian Men:
Srinu Bughatha (IND) 01:04:33; Suresh Patel (IND) 01:04:57; Harshad Mhatre (IND) 01:05:12.
Indian Women:
Suriya Loganathan (IND) 01:12:49; Parul chaudhary (IND) 01:13:55; Chinta Yadav (IND) 01:15:28.