Ethiopians Tura and Melese Prevail in Shanghai Marathon

Both 2018 Shanghai marathon titles took Ethiopian runners as Seifu Tura claimed the men's race with Yebrgual Melese winning the women's contest.

The 21-year-old Tura defeated his compatriot Tsegaye Mekonnen in a sprint finish to claim the 2018 Shanghai marathon title in 2:09:33. Both  Tura and Mekkonen clocked the same time, however, Mekonnen had to settle in second place. Dickson Tuwei of Kenya concluded the men's podium in 2:09:21.

Yebrgual Melese broke away from the lead pack in the final stages of the race to cross the line in 2:30:37 smashing the Shanghai marathon course by 1 minute and 15 seconds. The 20-year-old Azmera Abreha took second place with a massive personal best of 2:21:51, while the third place claimed Kenya’s Betty Lempus, who bettered her previous PB by almost six minutes to 2:23:41.

Great Eliud Kipchoge,  the fastest marathon runner of all time, gave a start to some 38,000 runners in cold and rainy Sunday morning.