Reigning champion Asefa Negewo of Ethiopia stormed to victory in the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, covering the 42.195km in 2hr 10min 01sec to lift the crown in Africa’s first IAAF Gold Label race. The second man home was Negewo’s countryman Ketema Negasa, who crossed in 2:11:07, with Duncan Maiyo of Kenya earning third spot in 2:11:26. South African national 5,000m record holder Elroy Gelant delivered an eye-catching performance to finish fifth in his debut marathon (2:12:49) and was the first South African home. Gelant sat behind the lead group before slowly working his way within striking distance to launch a bid for a podium finish and, while that never materialised, it was a brave performance by the 31-year-old. The women’s race ended in a double triumph for Ethiopia as Bethlehem Cherenet produced a powerful finish in the final kilometre to cruise past long-time leader Helalia Johannes of Namibia and claim the title in 2:30:22,6. Cherenet was only 2sec shy of the race record s...
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