Ethiopians sweep podium at world's richest marathon in Dubai (updated)

Tamirat Tola Adere won on Friday the world' s richest long distance run, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2017, while his countrywoman Worknesh Degefa won her debut Marathon in the women's category at a time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 35 seconds.

Tola was victorious with a new personal best time of 2:04:11. He and Degefa will receive some 200,000 dollars in prize money. "In the first quarter of the race I was confident I could be on top of this marathon", said Tola.

Degefa said she wants to spend the money mostly on charity for poor children in her country.

Tola's compatriots Mule Wasihun and Sisay Lemma Kasaye passed the finish line near Dubai's landmark hotel Burj Al Arab as second and third, respectively, with times of 2:06:46 and 2:08:04. As in recent years, Ethiopians swept the podium to the joy of the thousands of Ethiopian fans and aficionados along the track along the Dubai Jumeirah road and at the finish line. For the women, Ethiopians Shure Demise and Arage Yebrgual passed second and third at times of 2:22:57 and 2:23:13, respectively.

The 25-year-old winner Tola, bronze medallist in the 10,000 meters run at the Summer Olympics in Rio last year, kissed the ground after completing the 42.195 kilometers long track before opening his arms toward the sky.

Men's top seed and three-time Olympic gold medallist Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia dropped out at kilometer 21. It was the second time for Bekele to quit the Dubai race during the run. The 34-old Ethiopian also dropped out in 2015.

Bekele missed the men's world record (2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds) of Dennis Kimetto from Kenya by just six seconds when he won the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 25, 2016. Endit