Battling Gladys Cherono comes second in marathon debut

Kenya’s Gladys Cherono only but missed victory by a second on her marathon debut when she lost the battle to Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia in a thrilling finish at the 2015 Dubai Marathon on Friday.

Cherono, who is the reigning World Half Marathon champion, clocked 2:20:03 in what was the third-fastest marathon debut, but lost to Mergia in 2:20:02, just 31 seconds outside her course record from three years ago.

Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu emerged as the unexpected winner in the men’s race, crossing the line at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race in a world-leading time and a personal best of 2:05:28. The best Kenyan in the race was Julius Karinga in 15th in 2:12:27 as Ethiopians swept the top 12 places.

STRONG COMEBACK

The 2011 and 2012 Dubai Marathon champion Mergia was making a return, having taken an extensive break from competition to have a baby. It was Mergia’s first race since her disappointing 42nd place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cherono’s counterpart, Lucy Kabuu, was third in 2:20:21 in a race that saw 10 women run under 2:24.

Kabuu, who clocked 2:19:31, the second-fastest time by a debutante, also lost the battle to Mergia during the 2012 Dubai Marathon in a similar fashion. Mergia and Kabuu’s times are the eighth- and ninth-fastest times in marathon history.

Ethiopia’s Tigist Tufa broke clear shortly after the start and maintained a daunting pace, leading a talented chasing group by a minute at 20km, which was in 1:05:23 to project 2:18 as the finishing time.

However, Tufa paid the price in the end and was caught at 34km by a five-woman group consisting of Mergia, fellow Ethiopians Aberu Kebede and Shure Demissie, Kabuu and Cherono.

The group was reduced to three with just over three kilometres remaining after Kebede and Demissie were dropped, before Mergia eventually proved the strongest in the final kilometre.

“I told myself after (giving birth to) my daughter that I could win a marathon again. We used the prize money from my first two wins in Dubai to begin building a hotel back home, now we’ll be able to complete the job,” said Mergia, who was watched by her husband and baby daughter.

Ethiopian runners took the next four places. Fourth was teenager Demissie in a world junior best of 2:20:59 and the fifth-fastest debut on record, with Kebede in 2:21:17, 2014 Dubai champion Mulu Seboka in 2:21:56 and then Alemu Bekele in 2:22:51 as the next three women across the line.

Lelisa Desisa, the 2013 Dubai and Boston Marathon champion, came home second in the men’s race in 2:05:52, while Deribe Robi completed the all-Ethiopian podium in 2:06:06.

Fourth was Ethiopia’s Lelisa Feysa in 2:06:35, followed by two more Ethiopians, Sisay Lemma in a personal best of 2:07:06 and Bazu Worku in 2:07:09.

WOMEN
1. Aselefech Mergia (Eth) 2:20:02, 2. Gladys Cherono (Ken) 2:20:03, 3. Lucy Kabuu (Ken) 2:20:21, 4. Shuhre Demissie (Eth) 2:20:59, 5. Aberu Kebede (Eth) 2:21:17, 6. Mulu Seboka (Eth) 2:21:56, 7. Tadelech Bekele (Eth) 2:22:51, 8. Aliaksandra Duliba (Blr) 2:23:06, 9. Abebech Afework (Eth) 2:23:33, 10. Ashete Bekere (Eth) 2:23:43.

MEN

1. Lemi Berhanu (Eth) 2:05:28, 2. Lelisa Desisa (Eth) 2:05:52, 3. Deribe Robi (Eth) 2:06:06, 4. Feysa Lelisa (Eth) 2:06:35, 5. Sisay Lemma (Eth) 2:07:06, 6. Bazu Worku (Eth) 2:07:09, 7. Chele Dechase (Eth) 2:08:11, 8. Girmay Birhanu (Eth) 2:08:56, 9. Adugna Takele (Eth) 2:09:39, 10. Andualem Belay (Eth) 2:09:59.