Wins for Ethiopians in road weekend – by Great Ethiopian Run

October 19 2009- Ethiopian wins in Amsterdam (Netherlands), Istanbul (Turkey), Reims (France), Porto (Portugal) and Gongju (South Korea) capped another outstanding weekend for Ethiopian runners on the road on Sunday.

The most impressive victory of the weekend came in Gongju, South Korea, where Yemane Tsegaye, fourth in the world championship marathon in Berlin, clocked an outstanding 2:08.52 to take victory in the Dong-A Ilbo Marathon on Sunday. The 23-year old, who has a personal best of 2:06.52 from the Paris Marathon earlier this year, showed his consistency with his third sub 2:10 performance of the year in the three marathon races he has run so far. Following him across the finish line was compatriot Zurich Marathon winner Abraham Tadesse and veteran runner Tesfaye Eticha, an Ethiopian marathon runner who lives in Switzerland.

In another impressive performance this weekend, Sevilla Marathon winner Haylu Abebe took victory in Reims Marathon in France. The 21-year old clocked a personal best time of 2:09.34 to defeat compatriot Zenbaba Yegezu, who finished second in 2:09.46 ahead of Kenyan Henry Sugut. Ethiopians dominated the women's race with victory going to  Gebissa Derbe, who clocked 2:31:45. Junior runner Gishu Melkamu finished second in 2:31:55.

In a rain-affected Istanbul Marathon in Turkey, Kassim Adilo comfortably defended his title as he clocked 2:12.14 to claim the USD 50,000 first prize. Debutant Bezunesh Urgessa completed an Ethiopian double with a 2:32.45 ahead of compatriot Ashu Kassim who finished two minutes later.

Eyerusalem Kuma, a former track and cross country specialist, won her first marathon on the fourth attempt in Amsterdam, Netherlands clocking 2:27.42 to take victory ahead of unknown Weyneshet Girma. And debutant and unknown Bekele Berga clocked 2:09.41 to finish fifth in the Beijing Marathon on Sunday to complete another remarkable weekend in the marathon for the Ethiopians.

World marathon record holder Haile Gebrselassie clocked an impressive 60.02 to take victory in the 2009 Porto Half Marathon in Portugal. The 36-year old, who was competing less than a month after taking his fourth successive title at the Real Berlin Marathon in Berlin in September, improved the course record set by Kenya's Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru from the corresponding race last year. Compatriot and 2004 World cross country short course bronze medalist Maeregu Zewde finished third in the race.