Deso Wins Paris Marathon, Haftu Breaks Course Record in Barcelona
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Deso Gelmisa produced a burst of speed in the final stretch to claim the biggest title of his career with victory at the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris on Sunday.
The Athlete covered the 42.195Km in two hours five minutes and seven seconds – 14 seconds outside his personal best – as he finished ahead of the 2021 Chicago marathon winner and compatriot Seifu Tura.
Seifu finished three seconds behind the 24-year-old Gelmisa, whose previous title came at the Porto marathon in 2019.
France’s Morhad Amdouni finished third by setting a new French record in 2:05.22, improving the mark set by Benoit Zwierzchiewski in 2003 by more than a minute.
Kenya’s Judith Jeptum won the women’s race by beating the course record in two hours 19 minutes and 48 seconds.
She produced the first women’s sub-2:20 marathon on French roads when winning at the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris on Sunday.
Ethiopians Fantu Jimma and Besu Sado were second and third respectively, more than three minutes off the pace.
Haftu wins in Barcelona
Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu was victorious at the Edreams Mitja Marató Barcelona, a World Athletics Elite Label race, on Sunday.
Haftu successfully defended his title after finishing the race in 59:06. Another Ethiopian Chala Regasa finished second, crossing the line in 59:10.
“I went out very determined to improve on my record,” said Haftu. “The weather was fantastic, the rhythm too and I managed to do it so I’m delighted.”
Elvis Cheboi (59:15) prevented an all-Ethiopian podium sweep as the unheralded Kenyan got the better of Antenayehu Dagnachew, and Kindie Derseh who respectively finished the race forth and fifth.
– WA/News Agencies
Featured image caption: Athlete Deso crosses the finish line to win the men’s title at the Paris marathon on April 3, 2022. [Photo Francois Mori/AP]
