Lemma dominates Maratona d’Italia in Carpi

Ethiopian Kasaye Sisay Lemma took the honours unopposed in 2:11:58 at the 25th edition of the Maratona d’Italia in Carpi on Sunday (14).

Lemma and pacemaker Kemboi Kipkemboi took the lead with Bourifa in the early stages going through the 5 km in 15:59, the 10 km in 31:58. Bourifa was dropped at 15 km when Kipkemboi and Lemma surged the pace with a couple of 3:04 splits. Lemma and Kipkemboi increased their gap on Bourifa to three minutes at the 25 km mark which they reached in 1:18:24. Lemma remained alone going through 30 km in 1:34:03 after Kipkemboi dropped out. Lemma increased the pace without opposition reaching the 35 km mark in 1:49:12 and romped home to become the first Ethiopian runner to winner in the 25 editions of the Carpi Marathon.

The women’s race featured a battle between Iozzia and Megertu who went through the 21 km in 1:16:25 and ran side by side until the 27 km when the young Ethiopian pulled away dropping Iozzia by about 100 metres. Iozzia did not give up and managed to catch up at 32 km. The Italian runner broke away shortly afterwards building up a gap of 200 metres and went on to win in 2:35:08. Megersa finished a distant runner-up in 2:38:41.

Leading results from the Maratona d’Italia in Carpi:
Men –
1. Kasaye Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) 2:11:58
2. Migidio Bourifa (Italy) 2:20:45
3. Massimiliano Brigo (Italy) 2:24:09

Women –
1. Ivana Iozzia (Italy) 2:35:08
2. Tafa Megersa Megertu (Ethiopia) 2:38:41
3. Martina Rocco (Italy) 2:46:09

Source: IAAF.org