Ethiopians Triumph In Yangzhou Half

It was a major East African show of force in China on Sunday.

On the day that most of the world’s elite marathon runners were taking to the streets of London, Ethiopians were enjoying success in China at the half-marathon distance.

Specifically, Jakob Jarso and Worknesh Degefa triumphed at the Yangzhou International Half-Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Race.

Jarso’s winning time for the 13.1 miles was 1:00:39. For  Jarso, it was his second-best time in the half.

Nicholas Kipkemboi of Kenya was good for second place in 1:00:42, while third place was awarded to Nguse Tesfalde of Eritrea (1:00:46).

At the 10km mark, 12 runners comprised the lead pack. Kipkemboi led the group. Five kilometers later, Jarso — a former steeplechase runner — seized the lead.

Meanwhile, the women’s race was entirely a different affair with three runners, Worknesh Degefa, Tadelech Bekele and Yebrqual Melese, all from Ethiopia, taking it out strong from the starting gun.

The trio stuck together for most of the race, and it wasn’t until the 19km mark that Degefa made the first surge.

For More: IAAF