Mosop and Dibaba Set Records at Xiamen Marathon

Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba and Kenya's Moses Mosop broke the course records at the China's on of the biggest road races - The Xiamen International Marathon - on Saturday January 3.

Dibaba shaved of more than minute and a half of the previous course record to win the women's race in 2:19:52. The 25-year-old Ethiopian's winning result equaled to her personal best mark.

“I could have run faster but I felt a little bit pain in my legs in the last 10km which forced me to slow down, b ut I am happy with the result.” Said Dibaba.

The second place took compatriot  Meseret Legesse, who clocked 2:27:38, while Kenya's Meriem Wangari finished in third in 2:27:53.

Kenya's Moses Mosop posted  fastest marathon time ever recorded on Chinese soil clocking 2:06:19 to take the victory. Tilahun Regassa of Ethiopia too second in 2:06:54 with compatriot Abrha Milaw  2:08:09 concluding the podium.

For Mosop this was a big win after his massive wins In 2011;  Boston  2:03:06 PB  and in Chicago  2:05:37 course record. 

More than 43,000 runners lined up on Saturday to participate at Xiamen International marathon - an IAAF Gold label road race.

Top Results

Men
1 Moses Mosop (KEN) 2:06:19
2 Tilahun Regassa (ETH) 2:06:54
3 Abrha Milaw (ETH) 2:08:09
4 Robert Kwambai (KEN) 2:08:18
5 Tadese Tola (ETH) 2:10:30

Women
1 Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:19:52
2 Meseret Legesse (ETH) 2:27:38
3 Meriem Wangari (KEN) 2:27:53
4 Meseret Godana (ETH) 2:36:11
5 Cao Mojie (CHN) 2:43:06