Mesenet Geremew overpowers the field at Great Ethiopian Run 10 km road race - Athletics news
Mesenet Geremew clinched victory over a competitive field of runners at the 2011 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Great Ethiopian Run 10 km road race, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 27. Geremew finished in a time of 28 minutes and 37 seconds, securing
victory in the Men’s category.
The Men’s race, from the very start, saw a tight clash between the competitors, as every runner in the contention looked to pull and shove through the field in a desperate endeavour for the lead. After a while, a clear picture was seen when no one dared
to lead as the pace maker, perceiving a substantial part of the race strategy. For the initial time, a large group of 20 runners almost ran toe-to-toe.
At the halfway point, a dynamic move was seen in the race, as the group started to dissipate. After two kilometres, the group shortened to only five athletes as the leading pack. Mesenet Geremew and Yegerem Demelash, amongst the lead group, were drawing
closer to the head of the pack, Kenyan athlete, Nicholas Kipkemboi.
Kipkemboi was absolute in giving a tough competition to the Ethiopians, as Mesenet Geremew and Yegerem Demelash seemed struggling through most of the course. After an intense battle for the top spot, Geremew emerged as the winner with a time of 28 minutes
and 37 seconds. Demelash soon followed with a difference of three seconds and finished the course in a decent time of 28 minutes and 44 seconds.
Nicholas Kipkemboi claimed third position on the podium with a time of 28 minutes and 47 seconds. After winning the event, Geremew said, “It is the first time I participated in this race. The first 5 km had a lot of difficult challenges and there was a lot
of pulling and shoving. But after the 5km, every one of us was focused on our race. I am so excited to become the winner of this big race which will encourage me a lot to have a bright future.”
The Women’s race was won by Abebech Afework, who cleared the course in a time of 32 minutes and 59 seconds. She was followed by a 33 minutes and 6 second finisher, Tiki Gelana, for the second spot. The third spot was taken by Atsede Habtamu, who finished
at a decent time of 33 minutes and 12 seconds.
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