Ethiopian athletes were in good form winning the men’s and women’s categories of the 2022 TCS Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday.
Tsegaye Getachew narrowly beat Kenya’s Titus Kipruno to emerge champion in the men’s category, while Almaz Ayana won the women’s race.
After a very competitive race Getachew came out sprinting in the last kilometre to emerge champion recording a Personal Best time (PB) of 2:04:49, while Kipruto recorded 2:04:54, and another Ethiopian Bazezew Asmare came third with a time of 2:04.57.
“ I am very excited that I came out top in this marathon. I have been preparing well ahead of the Marathon and it feels good to finally finish top,” said Getachew.
The 30-year old Ayana and 2016 Olympic 10,000 metre champion set a new course record in her debut recording a time of 2:17:19. Ayana ran the fastest-ever marathon debut by a woman and her time is the seventh-best on the world all-time list.
In second place was another Ethiopian and favourite Genzebe Dibaba who ran in a time of 2:18.05. Tsehay Gemechu, also from Ethiopia came in third place in a time of 2:18:59.
Although the 1,500m record holder Dibaba and Ayana ran together for most of the race, it was Ayana who moved ahead after 35 kms and did not look back.
Top men
Tsegaye Getachew (Ethiopia) – 2:04:49
Titus Kipruto (Kenya) – 2:04:54
Bazezew Asmare (Ethiopia) – 2:04:57
Abraham Kiptoo (Kenya) – 2:05:04
Top women
Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia) – 2:17:20
Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia) – 2:18:05
Tsehay Gemechu (Ethiopia) – 2:18:59
Nasnet Amanuel (Ethiopia) – 2:22:45
