Moiben, Abeyo emerge winners in Mumbai Marathon

African domination continued at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon as Kenya's Laban Moiben and Ethiopian Netsanet Abeyo bagged the top honours in men's and women's categories on Sunday.

Among the Indians, veteran long distance runner Ram Singh Yadav booked his berth for the London Olympics.

Moiben, whose previous best timing in a marathon was 2:09:44  -- set in Ottawa in May 2010 -- won the race in a photo finish as he completed the 42-km race in 2:10:48.

Ethiopian Raji Assefa also clocked 2:10:48 but was adjudged second after photo finish results while compatriot John Kyui (2:10:54) was third. Fatuma Sado (2:30:20) and Makda Harun (2:30:47), followed Abeyo (2;26:12) to complete an all-Ethiopian sweep in the women's category.

The top winners in the two categories got a prize money of USD 36,000 each.

Tanzania's Dickson Marwa and Simon Kasimili were the initial pace setters as they exchanged the lead position during the the first 15 km stretch. However, after the initial surge, Marwa fell behind and it was here that Kyui and Moiben began their domination. It was at about the 30km stretch that Moiben took the lead which he held throughout.

However, it was a close tussle for the two runners-up places which Assefa and Kyui finally managed to grab. Yadav, who held the course record for the Indians here -- 2:18:03 set in 2009 -- finally fulfilled his potential as he completed the race in 2:16:59, bettering Olympic qualification timing of 2:18 hours. The Armyman was followed by Elam Singh (2:18:27), who narrowly missed qualification, and TA Rajesh (2:24:25).

Following the changes, the landmark Mumbai-Worli Sea Link, considered the toughest route of the course, which the athletes used to reach after reaching the 24km mark earlier, will only be 14km away this time around.

"With the qualification events for Olympics decreasing with time, we are trying to provide the athletes a platform to run faster," Race Director Hugh Jones said.

With the route and timing being changed and the city blessed with a pleasant climate this time around, organisers are hoping that the course record -- set by Assefa (2:09:54) and Yal (2:26:56) last year -- will be broken.

"Weather conditions are good. If similar conditions prevail on the race day, we may see the 2:10 hours mark being broken. Also, several Indians will have a chance to qualify for the Olympics," said IAAF race referee Dave Cundy. "Also, several Indians will have a chance to qualify for the Olympics," he added.

"This year is the strongest field ever in men's category. Change in course will hopefully be beneficial to the athletes and if the weather gods are kind to us, we will see some good records," said Ian Ladbroke, Elite Athlete coordinator.