Pune: Sunday was Ethiopia’s Zike Debebe’s most memorable day yet as he sprinted to a surprise win at the 33rd Pune International marathon on a chilly Sunday morning in the city. His compatriot and defending champion Besha Teshome Getachew too was taken aback by the surprise and finished second followed by Asafa Bekele.
But it was undoubtedly Debebe’s day, who clocked 2 hours 17 minute 17s to cross the finish line at the Baburao Sanas Ground.
He was off the blocks briskly and maintained his position at the top of the leading pack during the half-way mark of the 42.195 KM run. He was closely followed by Besha, but Zike was able to consolidate his lead in the latter part of the race, forcing the defending champion to be content with the second place.
Kalmadi flags off
The marathon was flagged off by former Member of Parliament from the city Suresh Kalmadi at 5 am from the Sanas Ground. Despite the fast track and suitable winter conditions for the runners, the winner failed to match or break last year’s record of 2 hours 15 minutes and 15 seconds set by runner-up Getachew Besha.
Debebe, who looks after his barber shop in native Ethiopia, said he was elated with the feat.
Amongst the Indians, 30 year old Karan Singh topped the charts with a timing of 2 hours 24 minutes. Karan, who trains at the Bombay Engineering Group (BEG), has been constantly doing well in events elsewhere, notably being the fastest Indian at Mumbai Marathon in 2014 and 2015.
Re-introduced after a gap of eight years, the full marathon for women saw the first three places being bagged by foreign athletes. Pascalia Chapkogei, Belew Mekonen and Fakede Simign Tilahun finished first, second and third respectively.
There were over 15,000 participants in eight different competitive categories.
Results:
Full Marathon:
Men: 1. Zike Atlaw Debebe (Eth) 2hr 17min 17sec; 2. Besha Teshome Getachew (Eth) 2:18:07; 3. Asefa Bekele (Eth) 2:18:38.
Women: 1. Pascalia Chepkogei (Ken) 2hr 50min 27 sec; 2. Belew Asar Mekonnen (Eth) 2:52:30, 3. Simegn Tilahun (Eth) 2:53:50.
Half Marathon:
Men: 1. Mitku Dekebe (Eth) 1hr 3min 30sec; 2. Mekonnen Woldeiorgis (Eth) 1:03:42; Gekebe Gaddisa (Eth) 1:04:15
Women: 1. Dibibe Degefa (Eth) 1hr 19min 9sec; 2. Woynshet Moti (Eth) 1:19:11; 3. Tsige Dadi (Eth) 1:20:02
10km:
Men: 1. Shander Singh (Ind) 35min 51 sec; 2. D Pralhad (Ind) 35:58; 3. Shrikant Koldare 36:32
Women: 1.Shital Bhagat (Ind) 42min 56sec; 2.Swati Whanwade 46:16; Nikita Nagpure 46:26.
