Ethiopian athletes lead the field at 28th edition of the ABN-AMRO Zevenheuvelenloop – Athletics news
Haile Gebrselassie claimed victory in the men’s race with a decent time of 42 minutes and 44 seconds, at the 28th edition of the ABN-AMRO Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run), contested over a distance 15 kilometres, in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on
November 20.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist, Gebrselassie won with a wide margin over Kenyan athlete, Vincent Kipruto. From the very start of the race, Kipruto and Gezahai accompanied Gebrselassie. The Trio crossed the 5km marker in a time of 14 minutes and 38 seconds.
Gebrselassie crossed the 10 km mark with a time of 28 minutes and 35 seconds. By this time, Gebrselassie was ten seconds ahead of Kipruto. Gezahai was behind with a considerable gap, as he crossed the 10 km mark in 28 minutes and 57 seconds.
Expanding the gap further, Gebrselassie was cruising towards the finishing line with steady pace. He was cheered by thousands of spectators. The paragon Ethiopian marathoner finished the course in his trademark style, with a time of 42 minutes and 44 seconds.
After the race, the winner said, “The beginning was too slow.” Gebrselassie is now preparing for the Tokyo Marathon in February, where he hopes to qualify for the London Olympic Games Marathon.
The second spot in the men’s race was secured by Kenyan athlete, Vincent Kipruto, who cleared the distance in a time of 43 minutes and 15 seconds. He was followed Eritrean athlete, Samson Gezahai, who managed to attain third spot on the podium with a time
of 43 minutes and 56 seconds.
Haile Gebrselassie enjoyed his third victory in Nijmegen. The 38-year-old ‘Emperor of the Road’ took wins at the same venue in 1994 and 2005. He rose to victory in 2005 with a finishing time of 41 minutes and 57 seconds.
Ethiopian athlete, Waganesh Mekasha secured the win in women’s race, as she finished the distance in a time of 48 minutes and 33 seconds. She crossed the 5 km mark in 16 minutes and 25 seconds and was accompanied by Mizuki Noguchi, who was a few metres behind
her.
Mekasha crossed the 10 km mark in just 32 minutes and 30 seconds, and was followed by three Japanese runners, Noguchi, Odagiri and Takagi. In the final five kilometres, Noguchi was left behind and was surpassed by Odagiri and Takagi. With Mekasha in the
lead, the final moments saw a clash between Odagiri and Takagi for second place, where Odagiri prevailed.
Mekasha covered the distance in a decent time of 48 minutes and 33 seconds for the top spot. She was followed by Aki Odagiri, who went past the finishing line in 49 minutes and 42 seconds to secure second spot on the podium. The third position was clinched
by Ayame Takagi in a time of 49 minutes and 44 seconds.
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