In what was widely regarded as one of the deepest and highest-quality women’s fields ever assembled, the three-time world half marathon champion sprinted away from world record-holder Ethiopian Tigist Assefa, 2021 London winner Joyciline Jepkosgei and last year’s runner-up Megertu Alemu – all of whom finished inside 2:17 – to notch up her third victory in a World Marathon Majors race.

Mutiso Munyao made it a Kenyan double, winning the men’s race in 2:04:01 to defeat Ethiopian distance legend Kenenisa Bekele by 14 seconds.

The front group – which included Tigist Assefa alongside past London winners Jepkosgei, Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Brigid Kosgei – got to 15km in 47:37. Soon after, Sheila Chepkirui – the runner-up in Berlin last year – started to drift off the pack.

The diminutive Kenyan charged through the finish line in 2:16:16, finishing seven seconds ahead of Tigist Assefa. Jepkosgei (2:16:24) and Alemu (2:16:34) followed soon after, making this the first marathon in which four women have finished inside 2:17.

The men’s lead pack was down to five men: Munyao, Bekele, Tola, Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde and compatriot Milkesa Mengesha.  Less than 10 minutes later, Tola and Wolde had dropped back, leaving Bekele, Munyao and Mengesha as the lead trio. Mengesha lasted five more minutes before him, too, succumbed to the pace, unable to stick with Munyao and the 41-year-old Bekele.

Just before the clock ticked over to 1:55, Munyao finally dropped multiple world and Olympic gold medallist Bekele, who was visibly struggling to match the Kenyan’s pace.

Munyao maintained his lead to the finish, eventually winning in 2:04:01 to Bekele’s 2:04:15, the fastest time ever by an athlete over the age of 40.

Ethiopian premiere league former champions Ethio-Electric is roaring back to the top tier with five matches in hand.
Although many the club supporters were worried when their beloved side returned to the lower league within the very year it promoted, it once again sprang a miracle back to the elites league finishing top of group (A) in flying color.
Considered the strongest league in the Ethiopian football, the Higher League’s  26 sides’ in two groups season has reached to its climax despite four fixtures remaining. For both Electric and group (B) heavyweight Arbamich Ketema, it is already mission accomplished for they returned to the high flight in less than a year time. ” Being one of the three most senior clubs next to Kidus Giorgis and Mechal, Electric must be among its equals. And we are delighted made it come true” suggested one of the club’s Board members Ato Mengestu Abayneh. “I salute everyone including the players and the Coach for helping Electric to be in its rightful place” Ato Mengestu added.
Fifteen wins, four draws and only two defeats in 21 matches, Electric collected 49 points that makes it the undisputable group champion 15 points clear of runner up Oromia Police. It is not only about the big point margin but the goal difference standing at 24 comparing against runner up Oromia Police boasting only eleven.
Electric’s head coach Samson Ayele previously known as Big Sam for saving clubs from relegation is now to add a new medal for leading Electric in his first season with the club. According to close sources with the club, Samson is sure to collect a six figure bonus for his great achievement.