Ethiopia’s legendary runner Kenenisa Bekele notched up another impressive milestone in an already glittering career by winning the Paris Marathon on Sunday, his first attempt at the gruelling event.
The 31-year-old 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder crossed the line in an event record time of 2 hours 5 minutes 4 seconds after negotiating a sunbathed course through the streets of the French capital.
The previous Paris record was held by Kenya’s Stanley Wiwott who clocked 2hr 05:10 in 2012.
Fellow Ethiopian Limenih Getachew came home second at 2hr 06:49 with Luka Kanda of Kenya, the 2012 Rome winner, claiming the final spot on the podium crossing the line in 2hr 08:02.
“It was my first marathon and I didn’t have much experience,” said Bekele, the triple Olympic champion.
Now, I know the marathon, I can run faster than that but I have to prepare even more. I’m sure I can run a better time than that. I still have time in my career
“It was very tough but it was the time I expected. After 25km I pushed alone but it was very tough.