News
IAAF.org: Sihine and Tirunesh Dibaba take Great Ethiopian Run in record times
a nervy start with two Ethiopians and two Kenyans leading the way
2003-12-07
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - World 10,000m Bronze medallist Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine won the men’s division of today’s TOTAL Great Ethiopian in a course record time, while the Dibaba sisters, Tirunesh and Ejigayehou, crossed the line in that order in the womens race.Sihine, who this year has also won gold medals in the 10,000m at the All-African and Afro-Asian Games, beat training partner and last years champion Gebregziabher Gebremariam, while little-known Mulugeta Wondimu was a surprise finisher in third place.
Sihines winning time of 29:52.71 was twelve seconds better than the course record set by reigning double Olympic 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie in the inaugural running of this event two years ago.
The race was devoid of its biggest name after World Marathon record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya opted not to run at the last minute.
However, after a nervy start with two Ethiopians and two Kenyans leading the way at the 1.5 km mark, the race began to live up to its reputation as one of the best road race events in Africa. It was Sihine and Gebremariam leading the way with the Kenyans Christopher Cheboiboch and Paul Koech also very much involved in the contest.
For full article on iaaf.org - click here
Advertisement
Advertisement