Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase wins women’s marathon in record time at World Athletics Championships

Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase broke a 17-year-old World Athletics Championships record on Monday, July 18 in Oregon to win the women’s marathon title. Gebreslase won a 2-way battle with Kenya’s Judith Korir to cross the finish line in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 11 seconds.

Gotytom Gebreslase broke away with just 2 kilometers to go and did not allow Korir to cut down the gap as she broke Briton Paula Radcliffe’s previous mark of 2:20:57 set in 2005.

“I am very happy and I want to give all the glory to God,” Gebreslase said.

“The Kenyan runner asked me to pass her but I stayed patient. Towards 40km, I felt strong and decided to leave.”

It was Ethiopia’s second marathon triumph in Eugene, Oregon after Tamirat Tola won the men’s title in another championship record 2:05:36. Notably, it was also Gebreslase’s second major title in as many years.

“Tola’s win yesterday motivated me a lot today,” said Gebreslase.

‘I TRIED MY BEST’

Korir, who produced the fastest time of her career, said she was frustrated that Gebreslase did not want to pace with her after they pulled away around the 27-km mark but was nonetheless pleased with her performance.

“The Ethiopian runners are very fast. It not easy to run with them, but I tried my best,” she said.

The field produced a speedy start at 6.15 am local time, benefiting from sunny but pristine conditions, with temperatures hovering above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10C).

Israel’s Lonah Salpeter seized a chance to secure third spot on the podium after Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh fell off the leading pack and dropped out with less than 10 km to go.

Also Read: Want to perform without pressure at World Championships: Neeraj Chopra

— ENDS —