Africans dominate Amman International Marathon

Oct 18, 2009, 6:16 GMT

   Amman - Kenya's David Kiptum won the Amman International Marathon with the participation of about 12,000 runners representing 71 countries, organizers said Sunday.

   Kiptum clocked 2 hours, 20 minutes and 48 seconds, followed by Ethiopia's Gezahagn Girma Beyene with a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes and 39 seconds. Italy's Said Boudalia trailed him by 19 seconds to come in third.

   African runners also dominated the women's category. Ethiopia's Tadelech Telila captured first place with 2 hours, 51 minutes and 39 seconds. Her teammate Etaferahu Getahun took the second spot with 2 hours, 54 minutes and 19 seconds. Kenya's Lilian Chelimo came in third at 2 hours, 57 minutes and 53 seconds.

   The event marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Amman municipality and King Abdullah II's accession to the throne.

   Twenty five internationally renowned runners took part in the event, including Ethiopia's Aregash Guba, Kenya's Christopher Rono and Ethiopia's Gizaw Bekele.

   The event had the support of the International Marathon Committee in addition to other sporting organizations, organizers said.

   The event categories were 42 kilometres for professional runners, 10 kilometres for leisure runners to encourage public participation, and 4 kilometres for children.

   Amman's mayor Omar Maani described the event as a success, citing the cooperation of citizens, government agencies and the private sector as well as all participants from all over the world.

   He said the city marathon could become an annual event.