Ethiopians rule in Cuban Varadero half-marathon

VARADERO, Cuba, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopians Timothy Kiplaga and Enadnesh Dirusew won the first Varadero Half marathon race here on Sunday.

Kiplaga ran the 21 km distance in 1:03.00 and remarked that the strong sun and the high temperature were his worst rivals, especially in the second lap when the heat was higher.

"However I could win," he said to reporters.

On the ladies' side, his compatriot Enadnesh Dirusew confirmed the forecast that she would be the winner and crossed the goal line in 1:20.35.

Cuba managed to occupy the other positions on the podium in both sexes.

Agustin Abril, president of the Cuban Athletics Federation, stressed the relevance of this first edition of the Varadero Half marathon race.

"It was something we needed, and it will be very positive for the development of Cuban athletics," he said.

Fernando Pineda, member of the organizing committee, predicted that the 2019 edition should be even better, because the direction of the New York marathon committed to promote the Varadero race at the international level.

"It would contribute that the best in the world will come to Cuba seeking to break their own records and with the favourable condition of a nice weather," Pineda added.

The second edition of the Varadero Half Marathon race is scheduled on March 24, 2019.

Cuba's Varadero Beach and resort, 140 km east of Havana, is the most important tourist site in the Caribbean nation, with over a million and half international visitors every year. Enditem