Ethiopian runners win 33rd Mexico City marathon

Ethiopian runners Daniel Aschenik and Shewarge Amare won the 33rd edition of the Mexico City International Marathon which brought together more than 30,000 competitors on Sunday.

Aschenik ran 42 kilometers 195 meters (26.22 miles) in two hours, 19 minutes and 23 seconds, claiming Ethiopia's first win in the race after 25 years when countryman Tesfaye Taffa won in 1989.

In the woman's category, Shewarge Amare won for a third time after her victories in 2014 and 2012. This year she registered a time of two hours, 41 minutes and ten seconds.

Aschenik and his countryman Debebe Tolosa, who came in second place with a time of two hours, 19 minutes and 48 seconds, made up part of the group that quickly became the leaders.

The men were accompanied by Kenyans Elisha Korir Hhumo, who finished in third place with a time of two hours, 20 minutes and 23 seconds, and also Juliius Kipyego, Rodgers Ondato Gesabwa, Hillary Kimaiyo and Peter Lemayian Nkaya, among others.

In the woman's race, Amare led the group and alternated the position with fellow Ethiopian Misker Mekonnen Demissie, who in the end came in second place with a time of two hours, 41 minutes and 15 seconds while Abrah Serkalen, another Ethiopian athlete, was third with a time of two hours, 42 minutes and 51 seconds.

The fastest Mexican in Sunday's race was Tomas Luna. He put up a good fight against the Africans for over 30 kilometers (18 miles) but in the end he was unable to keep up with the pace and lagged behind.

The winners went away with 28,000 U.S. dollars each. This figure could have been doubled if the winners had broken the record of two hours and 12 minutes.

The route began at the Benito Juarez Hemicycle in Mexico Ciy's central area with an "impressive human river" which flooded the Alameda area (the central park)

The 33rd edition of the marathon was a "party" for the competitors and spectators who were located near to the musical groups in the Olympic Stadium. Among the musical entertainment was the military band from the Jose Maria Morelos School Center, mariachis and Vazquez Sounds.

Source: XINHUA