Komu edges out Ethiopia’s Tola to win Paris Marathon

Martha Komu edged out Ethiopia’s Tola Worknesh in a bruising battle for the tape to win the women’s race of the 2008 Paris Marathon in 2:25.33

In the men’s elite event, the Kenya-Ethiopia tussle for top honours ended in favour of Tsegaye Kebede who squeezed past Moses Arusei in the last kilometre to claim victory in 2:06.37.

Komu was more than seven minutes quicker than her previous best of 2:32.45, set at Reims in 2006.

She appeared to be struggling when Tola surged ahead with three kilometres left. But the Kenyan caught up on the home stretch and overtook Tola to win over the final 300 meters.

"I felt I had my chances," Komu told reporters after the race. Compatriot Lenah Cheruiyot (2:26.00) grabbed the last podium place after out-pacing Ethiopia’s Shitaye Gemeshu (2:26.10) in the battle for third.

The 2005 World Cross Country Championships silver medallist, Alice Timbilil, finished fifth in 2:26.45.

In the men’s race, eight Kenyans filled the top 10 places but none could stop Kebede from taking the victory.

Despite rain and wind, the Ethiopian was only four seconds slower than the course record of 2:06.33, set by Kenya’s Mike Rotich in 2003.

Kebede was level with Arusei heading into the final two kilometers but the Kenyan began to tire allowing his rival to break away with about 500m remaining.

"The weather conditions were very hard," the victor said after the race.

Arusei finished second in 2:06.47, while countryman, Hosea Rotich was third in 2:07.10.

Last year’s Stanchart Nairobi International Marathon winner, Samson Barmao, finished seventh in 2:09.01.

Other Kenyans in the top ten were David Kemboi (2:08.34, fifth), Abraham Chelanga (2:08.34, sixth), Paul Kosgei (2:09.15, eighth), Benson Barus (2:09.23, ninth) and David Kiyeng who ran 2:09.23 to finish 10th.

Several runners wore stickers on their race jerseys to protest about China’s crackdown on demonstrations in Tibet. "I run without trampling on human rights," read the sticker’s message in French.

At the finish line, a handful of people waved Tibetan flags or held up signs marked "Jeux de Honte" (Games of Shame).