Ethiopian Gebreslase wins world women’s marathon
Gebreslase smashed Paula Radcliffe's 17-year-old championship-record in the marathon
Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase won his battle for gold in the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon on Monday.
Gebreslase, who won the 2021 Berlin Marathon in her debut and finished third in this year’s Tokyo Marathon, started with 2 km left and won a championship record of 2 hours 18 minutes 11 seconds.
Gebreslase captured gold in a championship record time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, 11 seconds, with her Kenyan rival who finished second in the marathon Korir taking silver.
Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, the Kenyan-born runner who represents Israel, earned the bronze medal.
Gebreslase said Korir had asked her to pass after leading for a large period of the race.
“But I stayed patient,” she said. “Towards 40km, I felt strong and decided to leave.”
It was a second marathon title for an Ethiopian runner in Eugene after Tamirat Tola won the men’s marathon on Sunday.
“Tola’s win yesterday motivated me a lot today,” Gebreslase said. “I did not know I was the first Ethiopian woman to win since 2015.
“I plan to prepare well and defend my title in Budapest” at next year’s world championships.
