PRAGUE — Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu Hayle claimed victory at the Prague International Marathon for the second consecutive year on Sunday, while compatriot Bertukan Welde triumphed in the women’s division.
Hayle, who has previously experienced marathon glory by winning the Boston Marathon in 2016, separated himself from Kenya’s Felix Kipkoech before reaching the 30-kilometer point. Dominating the remaining distance without challenge, he completed the race in a remarkable 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 14 seconds. Hayle’s victory marks a historic moment as he becomes the first athlete to defend his title in the marathon’s 30-year history.
Following Hayle, Felix Kipkoech crossed the finish line in second place, clocking a time of 2:07:19. Japan’s Tetsuya Yoroizaka claimed the third spot, completing the marathon with a time of 2:09:10.
In the women’s category, Bertukan Welde took the top spot, completing her race in 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 55 seconds. Both performances highlighted an exceptional day for Ethiopian long-distance runners, underscoring their continued dominance in international athletics.
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