{"id":1372,"date":"2012-01-27T03:13:29","date_gmt":"2012-01-27T09:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/?p=1372"},"modified":"2012-01-27T03:13:29","modified_gmt":"2012-01-27T09:13:29","slug":"abshero-wins-dubai-marathon-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/news\/abshero-wins-dubai-marathon-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"Abshero wins Dubai Marathon 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"Ayele<\/a>

Ayele Abshero wins Dubai Marathon 2012<\/p><\/div>\n

Ayele Abshero and his Ethiopan colleagues turned the marathon tide substantially this morning, Friday, in a Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon which rewrote the record books.<\/p>\n

Abshero, just past 21, ran the fastest winning debut in history, taking the title in an event record time of 2.04.23, which also makes him the fourth fastest man ever.<\/p>\n

The former world junior cross country champion (2009), also established himself as a leading contender for Ethiopia\u2019s Olympic trio, if not victory at London 2012. Abshero headed an Ethiopian 1-2-3, with Dino Sefir second in 2.04.50, and Markos Geneti third in 2.04.54, both personal bests.<\/p>\n

The Kenyans who carried all before them last year in the marathon world were firmly rebuffed. Jonathon Maiyo placed fourth, in 2.04.56, but he was the only non-Ethiopian in the top ten, most of whom set personal bests. Pre-race favourite Martin Lel dropped off the lead group before 30k, but soldiered on to finish 35th in 2.34.57. Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, looking to make his fifth Olympic team, finished 19th in 2.12.12.<\/p>\n

A relatively sedate start, followed by gradual acceleration in temperate conditions ensured that a large group of over 30 men reached halfway in 62.22. That group was only whittled down well past 30k, and with the top five finishers relaying the lead until Abshero made his break close to 40k fast times all round were the order of the day.<\/p>\n

There were perfect conditions for marathon running in the Gulf state, with temperatures of 12C (55F) at the 7am start, only rising a couple of degrees by the women\u2019s finish shortly before 9.20am. Underlining the quality of the fields and temperate weather with no wind, not to mention the million dollar prize pot, 14 men went under 2.08, and nine women under 2.25.<\/p>\n

Abshero, whose most notable feat apart from his world junior cross victory was beating (a less than fully fit) Kenenisa Bekele in a 15k road race three years ago, maintained that his finishing time was his target. \u201cI thought I could run 2.04 today,\u201d he said at the press conference, \u201cbut it\u2019s hard to plan for your first marathon, really I just didn\u2019t know what was going to happen. But I\u2019m very happy. I\u2019m now the number one in Ethiopia, and I think it could be the Olympic Games for me\u201d.<\/p>\n

Abshero is only headed historically by the Kenyans, Patrick Makau, with his world record 2.03.38, and Wilson Kipsang, 2.03.42, and his illustrious colleague Haile Gebrselassie, 2.03.59. But breaking Haile\u2019s Dubai course record by 30 seconds ensured further cachet for the youngster.<\/p>\n

It was an Ethiopian red letter day all round, with Asefelech Mergia defending her Dubai title, running a national and course record, with a personal best of 2.19.31, finishing just ahead of Kenyan debutante, Lucy (Wangui) Kabuu, who was three seconds adrift. Again Ethiopians dominated, with Mare Dibaba third in a personal best 2.19.52, and six in the first ten.<\/p>\n

While the men\u2019s leaders ran a negative split \u2013 the second half faster than the first \u2013 the women\u2019s pace was fairly even. A group of nine went though the \u2018half\u2019 in 69.42. Again it was the Ethiopians who fared better in the second half of the race, with last year\u2019s second Lydia Cheromei of Kenya dropping back to finish fifth, albeit in a personal best.<\/p>\n

The three seconds difference at the end can probably be explained by Mergia being defending champion and Kabuu being a debutante, something that the Ethiopian hinted at afterwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the course, so I felt confident. I prepared well and I\u2019m delighted with 2.19. I\u2019m now the best Ethiopian, and with a time like that, I hope to be selected for the Olympic Games\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mergia also won the world\u2019s biggest marathon prize of $250,000 (women and men) for the second year in succession, and got the upper hand in the first international marathon where three women went under 2.20. All in all, another marathon day to remember.<\/p>\n

RESULTS<\/p>\n

MEN<\/p>\n

Pos\/bib\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 name\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 country\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 time\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 prize\/US$<\/p>\n

1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ayele ABSHERO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.04.23\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 250k
\n2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dino SEFIR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.04.50\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 100K
\n3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Markos GENETI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.04.54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 50K
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\n5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tadese TOLA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.05.10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15K
\n6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yami DADI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.05.41\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14K
\n7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Abdullah DAWIT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.05.42\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13K
\n8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Desressa CHIMSA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.05.42\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12K
\n9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seboka TOLA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.06.17\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11K
\n10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yemane TSEGAY\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.06.29\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10K<\/p>\n

WOMEN<\/p>\n

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\n2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lucy KABUU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 KEN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.19.34\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 100K
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\n4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bezunesh BEKELE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.20.30\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25K
\n5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aberu KEBEDE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.20.33\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15K
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\n8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Atsede BAYSA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ETH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.23.13\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12K
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\n10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Isabella ANDERSSON\/SWE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2.25.41\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10K<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Ayele Abshero and his Ethiopan colleagues turned the marathon tide substantially this morning, Friday, in a Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon which rewrote the record books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1373,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[73,18,1],"tags":[91,152,168,316,343],"class_list":["post-1372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dubai","category-featured","category-news","tag-91","tag-asefelech-mergia","tag-ayele-abshero","tag-dubai-marathon","tag-ethiopia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1372"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1372\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1373"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1372"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1372"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.time-to-run.com\/marathon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}