Runners from Ethiopia dominated the competition at DOZ Marathon Lodz 2018 and its accompanying Ibuprom Sport Zel Half Marathon. In the challenging, warm conditions (22°C), Tarekegn Zewdu Bekele (2:19:41) prevailed in the marathon race while his compatriot Hunegnaw Mesfin (1:03:17) took the half marathon win. Jane Jepkosgei Kiptoo (KEN) and Agnieszka Gortel (POL) topped the women competitions, respectively.
Photo: © Mariusz Nasieniewski
It was not a day for fast running in Lodz, with air temperature surprisingly amounting to 22°C. It was clear already on the 10km checkpoint reached by the leading group of three male athletes in 33:05. They continued at the same pace for the next 20 km reaching the 30km mark in 1:39:17.
Photo: © Mariusz Nasieniewski
With Roger Melly of Kenya falling behind after 39 km, it was the one-on-one game between Tarekegn Zewdu Bekele (ETH) and Workneh Abate (ETH) to prove their dominance on the day. As it occurred, Bekele saved more energy and could celebrate the win in the monumental Atlas Arena, finishing in 2:19:41. Abate was 12 seconds behind with Melly taking the third place in 2:21:50.
Photo: © Mariusz Nasieniewski
Female competition saw a lonely run by Kenyan Jane Jepkosgei Kiptoo who led the race from gun to tape taking the win in 2:43:08. Polish runners – Natalia Mierzklin (3:01:23) and Agnieszka Pelc-Wanielista (3:14:31) – completed the podium.
Photo: © Mariusz Nasieniewski
Taking into account the half marathon elite field, organizers hoped for the best result on the Polish soil which would be anything under 1:00:48. Yet, they will have to wait at least one more year to make their dreams come true. Hunegnaw Mesfin of Ethiopia gave it all on the streets of Lodz crossing the 15km mark in 42:40 but he was not able to keep the pace for the remainder of the race and, although taking the victory, finished in 1:03:17, well below expectations. Hillary Kiptum Maiyo Kimaiyo – a regular on the Polish road running scene – finished second in 1:03:41 beating Emanuel Berhame (ETH) by 10 seconds.
Photo: © Mariusz Nasieniewski
Local champ Agnieszka Gortel won the women’s half marathon race in 1:16:10 with Polish Anna Wójcik and Dorota Gapys behind her back.
Photo: © Mariusz Nasieniewski
A total of nearly 4.500 runners took part in the DOZ Marathon Lodz – IAAF Bronze Label Road Race – and its side events.
Photo: © Sport Evolution
© Piotr Jakóbik , DOZ Maraton Łódź , Sport Evolution
European Sports Promoter: © EMG
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