Elisha Rotich of Kenya won the men’s race, while Tigist Memuye of Ethiopia took first place in the women’s event at the Paris Marathon on Sunday.
Rotich set a race record by crossing the finish line in two hours, four minutes, and twenty-one seconds, finishing ahead of Hailemaryam Kiros of Ethiopia.
As he picked up speed beyond the 25-kilometer mark, the 31-year-old Kenyan shaved about a minute off his personal best and shattered Kenenisa Bekele’s seven-year race record of 2:05:04.
Hillary Kipsambu of Kenya finished third after losing two places in the last stages of the race.
After a late charge, Memuye won the women’s race in two hours 26 minutes and 12 seconds, her largest win of her career.
Ethiopians swept the podium, with Memuye finishing almost three seconds ahead of Yenenesh Dinkesa and Fantu Jimma third.
The Paris Marathon, which attracts 60,000 runners from 145 countries, was supposed to take place in April this year but was postponed six months owing of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because to the epidemic, the race was canceled in 2020.
