Gena finished barefoot
22.03.2010 World
Ethiopian day at the 16th Roma Marathon. Siraj Gena clocked life-time best 2:08:39 to win (last 300 m barefoot as Abebe Bikila in 1960).
Kenyans followed him. Favorite Benson Barus was second (2:09:00) and Nixon Machichim Kipkoech who improved dramatically from 2:13 level to 2:09:08. Fourth and last sub 2:10 was another Ethiopian Kedir Fikadu with career best 2:09:15. Best European was 41 years old Italian veteran Migidio Bourifa in 2:12:34 (also European lead of 2010). Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia was the best woman and successfully defender her last year title in personal best 2:25:58. Kebebush Haile as second (also PB 2:25:31) and Mare Dibaba as third (PB 2:25:37) completed the Ethiopian full podium presence. Ukrainan Tetyana Filonyuk as fourth was not only best European but improved her life-time best to 2:26:24. Final sub 2:30 runner was Ethiopian Tola Fate Geleto in PB 2:28:58 as fifth. The race also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the 1960 Olympic marathon won by legendary Ethiopian Abebe Bikila. So the Ethiopian wins were more than appropriate. Former F1 pilot Alex Zanardi finished the race on his hand-bike in 1:15:53. The entries level was at 15 346 from 83 countries. More than 85 000 runners were expected at 4 km Roma Fun race.
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