Abebe Tilahun of Ethiopia triumphed in the 38th Wizz Air Venice Marathon, finishing in an impressive time of 2:09:08. Ihlam Ozbilen Tanui from Turkey, the world indoor silver medalist in the 1500m at Istanbul 2012, secured second place with a time of 2:09:31. Kenya’s Kipsambu Kimakal debuted in the marathon with a commendable third-place finish in 2:09:41.
The race heated up early with a sizable group of 12 athletes passing the 15 km mark at 45:53 and reaching 21 km in 1:04:21. As the race progressed, a lead group consisting of Kimakal, Ozbilen, Cheruyiot, Takele, and Tilahun emerged, distancing themselves from the rest after 30 km in St. Giuliano Park.
The critical break occurred on the Ponte della Libertà, where Tilahun and Kimakal surged ahead, passing the 35 km mark in 1:47:16, establishing a seven-second gap over Cheruyiot and Ozbilen. With just 4 km remaining, Tilahun made a decisive move, widening his lead to 17 seconds over Kimakal and ultimately finishing 23 seconds ahead of Ozbilen. This victory marked a significant personal best for Tilahun, improving his previous record by six minutes. Ozbilen managed to surpass Kimakal in the closing stages.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Birtukan Abera claimed victory in her marathon debut with a time of 2:32:40, outpacing Kenya’s Betty Chepkorir, who finished in 2:33:23, and fellow Ethiopian Melkam Tesfahun, who completed the course in 2:39:01.
Abera showed strong form from the start, narrowly leading at the halfway point with a time of 1:13:30, just two seconds ahead of Carolin Korir and Chepkorir. She expanded her lead to 26 seconds over Chepkorir by the 30 km mark, which she passed in 1:45:15. Abera continued to extend her lead, reaching a 42-second advantage at 35 km and maintaining it through to a triumphant finish in her inaugural marathon.
TOP RESULTS WOMEN MARATHON
Pos. | Name | Nat. | Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ABERA BIRTUKAN | ETH | 2:32:40 |
2 | CHEPKORIR BETTY | KEN | 2:33:23 |
3 | TESFAHUN MELKAM | ETH | 2:39:01 |
4 | KORIR CAROLIN JEBET | KEN | 2:41:30 |
5 | CARDUCCI SARA | ITA | 2:44:47 |
6 | IOZZIA IVANA | ITA | 2:45:22 |
7 | MORONI FEDERICA | ITA | 2:49:13 |
8 | MALATINSZKY SZOFIA | HUN | 2:59:47 |
9 | LUCHESE ELISABETTA | ITA | 3:10:00 |
10 | CHAPLIN SCOTT KATHERINE | GBR | 3:16:18 |
TOP RESULTS MEN MARATHON
Pos. | Name | Nat. | Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | TILAHUN ABEBE | ETH | 2:09:08 - |
2 | OZBILEN ILHAM TANUI | TUR | 2:09:31 |
3 | KIMAKAL KIPSAMBU | KEN | 2:09:41 |
4 | CHERUIYOT ABDENEGO | KEN | 2:11:28 |
5 | TAKELE ADUGNA | ETH | 2:12:33 |
6 | EL GHAZOUANY MOHAMED | MAR | 2:12:44 |
7 | OUHDA AHMED | ITA | 2:13:00 |
8 | SHUMAY ASMEROM | ERI | 2:14:06 |
9 | KALALE ISHMAEL CHELANGA | KEN | 2:14:37 |
10 | RETA DERESA | ETH | 2:17:24 |