2018 Mumbai Marathon: double triumph for Ethiopian runners

It was a double win for Ethiopians as Solomon Deksisa and Amane Gobena took top honours in the men's and women's categories respectively at the 2018 Mumbai Marathon on January 21, 2018.

Twenty-two-year-old Deksisa broke away from the rest of the field at the 35-km mark and kept his nose ahead for the reminder of the 42.195-km men’s event to lead a 1-2 finish for Ethiopia ahead of 29-year-old compatriot Shumet Akalnaw.

Deksisa clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes, 34 seconds, off the course record of 2:08:35, while his compatriot Shumet crossed the finish line in 2:10:00 after being in hot pursuit of the lead runner over the last seven kilometres without being able to catch up.

Kenyan Joshua Kipkorir, second last year, ended up third this year in 2:10:30.

Amane Gobena made it a memorable day for the Ethiopians, winning the women’s title.

Mumbai Marathon elite women gold medal winner was Ethiopia's Amane Gobena (centre), silver medal winner was Kenya's Bornes Kitur (left) and bronze medal winner was Ethiopia's Shuko Genemo.

Mumbai Marathon elite men gold medal winner Solomon Deksisa (centre), silver medal winner Shumet Akalnaw (left) and bronze medal winner Joshua Kipkorir pose for a photo at the prize distribution ceremony in Mumbai on Sunday. All athletes belong to Ethiopia.

Physically challenged people participate in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2018, in Mumbai on Sunday.

The corresponding top three Indian women finishers were Sudha Singh (centre), in a slow 2:48:32, Jyoti Gawte (left, 2:50:47) and Parul Chowdhary (right, 2:50:47).

The course record here is 2:08:35s, but there were four runners at the starting line-up with an under 2:07:00s record.

The Mumbai Marathon is India's biggest platform for charity and with a prize money of $405,000, the race has attracted leading professional marathoners from across the world, amateurs from India and sparked a fitness culture in the city.

Indian elite men gold medal winner was Gopi Thonakal (centre), silver medal winner was Nitendra Singh Rawat (left) and bronze medal winner was Srinu Bugatha.

A participant highlights women's issues at the marathon.

The Mumbai Marathon could not happen without the cooperation of the Mumbai Police. Over 2,000 men and women from the police force were out from the early hours, ensuring both runners and spectators are safe.

According to information from event organiser Procam International, 6,955 runners took part in the marathon and 14,950 in the half-marathon. The inaugural Timed 10K has attracted 1,652 runners.