Ethiopians win Delhi Half Marathon

New Delhi:

Ethiopia's Deriba Merga won the men's race with a new course record of 59.14 minutes, while his compatriot Aselefech Mergia became the women's champion of the fourth Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.

Deriba clocked 59:14 minutes, his fastest effort this season, to eclipse last year's champion Rwanda's Dieudonne Disi's timing of 60.43 minutes, while Aselefech timed 68: 16 minutes to pocket a prize money of $25,000 each.

Among the Indians, Sandeep Kumar emerged as the winner in the men's category, clocking 64:48 minutes, while defending champion Kavitha Raut retained her title clocking 77:12 minutes. They will be richer by $4,000.

Kenyans also had a good day with Wilson Kipsang and Wilson Chebet finishing second and third respectively in the men's category to bag $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.

In the women's section, Ethiopian Genet Getenet finished second, while Kenyan Peninah Arusei came third.

Kashinath and Deep Chand clocked 64:52 and 64:56 to finish second and third in the men's section of Indian runners, while Preethi L Rao and Sudha Singh finished second and third, clocking 77: 20 and 77:39 minutes in the women's section to bag $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.