Kenya’s Zablon Chumba wins Lisbon Marathon

Kenyan Zablon Chumba and Ethiopian Abebech Afework Bekele won the 12th edition of the EDP Lisbon Marathon held Saturday.

Debuting the new course (now starting in Carcavelos and maintaining the finish line at  Terreiro do Paço), on a morning with temperatures somewhat high for fast times, Chumba took the men’s victory in 2:07:11, a new personal best, improving his previous mark by 2  seconds.

The 33-year-old Kenyan triumphed with a 14-second lead over Ethiopian Gadisa Birhanu  Shumie (2:07:25) and more than a minute and a half ahead of fellow Ethiopian Limenih  Yizengaw (2:08:57). Behind this trio came Kenyan Gideaon Kangwony Chepkonga, also finishing under 2:10 — in his case, 2:09:44.

In the women’s race, with Hélder Santos acting as pacer up to the 30-kilometer mark (in 1:27:26 — after 1:13:46 at the half marathon), the leading group stayed tightly packed until around 35k, when the ‘fireworks’ began.

Abebech Afework Bekele proved strongest in that surge, crossing the finish line in  2:29:00, 9 seconds ahead of fellow Ethiopian Asmare Beyene Assefa and 22 seconds ahead of Kenyan Rael Nguriatukei Kinyara, last year’s winner, who had to settle for the third step of  the podium this time.

Also in the women’s race, Kenyan Deborah Chepngetich Sang went under 2:30 with  2:29:49, while Ethiopian Obseni Getachew Adilo missed that barrier by just one second (finishing in 2:30:00).

1. Zablon Chumba (KEN) – 2:07:11

2. Gadisa Birhanu Shumie (ETH) – 2:07:25

3. Limenih Yizengaw (ETH) – 2:08:57

Women

1. Abebech Afework Bekele (ETH) – 2:29:00

2. Asmare Beyene Assefa (ETH) – 2:29:09