Ethiopian runners dominate Rome marathon
The 2019 edition of the Rome marathon was dominated by Ethiopian runners, winning the men’s race and women’s event.
Ethiopia’s Tebalu Zawude Heyi won the Rome marathon ahead of compatriots Tesfa Wokneth and Yihunilign Adane as the east African athletics power-house swept both the men’s and women’s events.
Ethiopia’s Tebalu Zawude Heyi won the Rome marathon – Ethiopian runners
Zawude Heyi clocked 2hr 8min 37sec around the Italian capital with Wokneth just behind in 2hr 9min 17sec and Yihunilign Adane timing 2hr 9min 53sec. Ethiopia also topped the women’s race with Alemu Megertu setting a new course record of 2hr 22min 52sec ahead of countrywomen Muluhabt Tsega (2.26:41) and Chaltu Negesse (2.30:45).
Read Also: 19 Year-old Ethiopian Runner Sets New World Record in Birmingham
A record number of over 19,000 runners took part in this year’s race, which began and ended at the Colosseum. 80,000 others joined the 5-km fun run which finished at the Circus Maximus.
The number of non-Italian athletes increased dramatically this year to. There were over 8,000 runners from 122 different countries, compared to last year’s 6,000 runners from 81 countries.
