The 30-year-old Kipserem, who won 2016 Rotterdam maraton, clocked a huge PB of 2:04:04 beating World half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum by 12 seconds. Kipserem improved his old personal best by more than 2 monutes, while Kiptum shaved 1 minute and 10 seconds from his previous best mark to finish in second place in the Abu Dhabi Marathon.
Both Kipserem and Kiptum ran negative splits for the second half of the race. Kipserem produced 1:01:30, while Kiptum clocked 1:01:46 during the second half of the Abu Dhabi Marathon.
The men's podium concluded Dejena Gonfa of Ethiopia who finished in 2:07:06.
The women's race also produced very fast times as Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh Brihane won the evemt in 2:20:16. The kenyan born Eunice Chumba claimed second place with 2:20:54 as Gelete Bati of Ethiopia finished in third place.
Both men's women's winner took home a $100,000USD prize.
Men's Top 10 Abu Dhabi Marathon 2018
1. | KEN | Marius KIPSEREM | 2:04:04 |
2. | KEN | Abraham KIPTUM | 2:04:16 |
3. | ETH | Dejena Debela GONFA | 2:07:06 |
4. | KEN | Thomas Kiplagat RONO | 2:07:12 |
5. | KEN | Stanley Kipleting BIWOTT | 2:09:18 |
6. | ETH | Beshah Yersiie ESKEZIA | 2:10:01 |
7. | MAR | Anouar EL GHOUZ | 2:10:19 |
8. | KEN | Emmanuel Kipchirchir MUTAI | 2:12:38 |
9. | ERI | Ghebrezgiabhier Weldemicael KIBROM | 2:17:15 |
10. | ETH | Wendwesen Tilahun DAMTE | 2:18:31 |
Women top finishers
1. | ETH | Ababel Yeshaneh BRIHANE | 2:20:16 |
2. | BRN | Eunice Chebichii CHUMBA | 2:20:54 |
3. | ETH | Gelete Burka BATI | 2:24:07 |
4. | ETH | Chaltu Tafa WAKA | 2:25:09 |
5. | KEN | Caroline Cheptonui KILIEL | 2:29:14 |
6. | ETH | Genet Yalew KASSAHUN | 2:31:34 |
7. | KEN | Susy Chebet CHEMAIMAK | 2:40:04 |