Ethiopian runners win Nanning Half Marathon

Ethiopia's Meketa Aschalew Neguse and Mokonin Desi Jisa won the men's and women's title respecitvely in the Nanning International Half Marathon here on Saturday.

   Neguse clocked one hour, two minutes and 25 seconds in the men's race, beating the previous event record of 1:02:45. His fellow countryman Biro Seboka Dinbushe took the silver and Kenya's Mwangi Samuel Macharia had bronze.

   Neguse, who was competing for the first time in the Nanning Half Marathon, said it was great pleasure that he could break the course's record.

   "All the runners have done well. Both the track and weather, are very suitable for marathon," he said.

   Ethiopia clean swept the women's medals with Jisa grabbing the top place in 1:11:58. Geletu Bekelu Beji and Habela Genet Abdurkadir rounded out the podium.

   It is the 10th edition of Nanning Half Marathon since the race was launched in 2006. More than 12,000 professional and amateur runners took part in this year's event which fetures half marathon, 10km, 4km and walk races.  Endi