Elfnesh Melaku of Ethiopia wins Athens Marathon

Athens, Greece – Elfnesh Melaku of Ethiopia won the 29th Athens Classic Marathon women race here today in a time of 2:35.25.

The men’s race was won by Abdelkrim Boubker of Morocco (2:11.40), followed by two Kenyans Sammy Chumba (2:13.27) and Daniel Gatheru (2:16.12).

Elfnesh Melaku and Kamila Khanipova of Ukraine ran shoulder to shoulder for close to 42k, before Melaku sprinted away, to win in 2:35:25, with the Ukrainian just six seconds back. Amira Benamor of Tunisia was third in 2:42:15.

Road Race

Ethiopia’s Kassahun Jebel won the men’s 10,000-meter race, with Popi  Astropekaki winning the women’s.

Results:

WOMEN:

1. Elfnesh Melaku (Ethiopia)     2:35:25

2. Kamila Khanipova (Ukraine)   2:35:31

3. Amira Benamor (Tunisia)         2:42:15

Men:

1. Abdelkerim Boubker (Morocco)  2:11:40

2. Sammy Chumba (Kenya)           2:13:27

3. Daniel Gatheru (Kenya)         2:16:12