MARATHON – IT was a day to remember for Kenyan Brigid Kosgei as she marked her first appearance at the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon by setting a new women’s record as more than 25,000 participants from 168 nationalities took to the streets of the UAE capital.
The five-time major marathon champion swept to victory with a stunning time of 2 hours 19 minutes 15 seconds – a minute quicker than the previous record and nearly five minutes ahead of her closest rival, Hawi Feysa Gejia (2:24:03), as Ethlemahu Sintayehu finished third (2:25:36).
Meanwhile, Eritrean Amare Hailemicael Samson produced a superb display, completing the stunning city course in 2:07:10 to seal an impressive victory, two minutes ahead of his closest challenger, Kenyan Leonard Barsoton (2:09:37), with compatriot Ilham Tanui Ozbilen marking his maiden marathon appearance with a third-place finish (2:10:16).
Ethiopian Halefom Kesay won the 10kmrace with a time of 28:27, while his compatriot Zenashwork Yenw covered the same distance in 33:23.
The marathon and relay race combined attracted 2,863 participants, the 10km race welcomed 5,320 individuals, with 7,575 participants taking on the 5km and 9,280 runners in the 2.5km race.
The winners were crowned by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) secretary general Aref Hamad Al Awani, CEO of ADNOC’s Human Resources, Corporate and Commercial Support Department Yaser Saeed Al-Mazrouei, head of Commercial Affairs and In-Country Value Promotion at ADNOC Dr Saleh Al Hashmi, ADSC sports development sector executive director Talal Al Hashemi, managing director and CEO of Tadweer Company Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, ADSC events sector executive director Suhail Al Arifi, Nike’s sports marketing director Ricky Dominguez, and National Committee for Organ Transplantation (Department of Health) chairman Dr Ali Al Obaidli.
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