They not only provided the international flavour but also proved their worth when athletes from Ethiopia, expectedly, dominated the colourful Hyderabad 10K Run on Sunday.
Mosinet Geremew and Yebrgual Melese clinched the honours in the men’s and women’s events winning the overall titles.
One of the biggest names from India, Olympian Sudha Singh clocked her personal best of 35.18 to win the Indian women’s category title with Kavita (36.01) and Monika Athrey (37.21) finishing second and third, respectively.
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In Indian men’s section, Rattiram Saini emerged the fastest -- clocking 30.16 – to finish a creditable eighth in the final standings.
The Indian men’s race was closer, with Rattiram followed in by G. Laxmanan in 30.30 and Nitendra Singh Rawat in 30.54.
Star attraction was the Ethiopian Geremew and he lived up to his reputation leading from the start to finish at the People’s Plaza.
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The 20-year-old clocked his personal best time of 27.36, pushing to second place the fancied Kenyan Nicholas Kipkemboi, fresh from his victory in the Seven Hills Race in Netherlands, but fell short in the final sprint to finish a second behind in 27.37. Ugandan Jackson Kiprop with 28.16 was third.
The Run saw 8,500 taking part, 2500 for the 10K Run and 6,000 for the ‘Mazza’ Run. Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi, Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar, tennis star Sania Mirza, Badminton coach Pullela Gopi Chand, Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma, were among those present.