Muthai, Aselefech win Delhi Half Marathon

NEW DELHI - Geoffrey Muthai of Kenya and Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia won the men and women’s events in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here Sunday.

Muthai clocked 59 minutes and 38 seconds to win the gold in the 21 kilometre event. Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa recorded 59m and 39s to finish second. His countryman Yacob Yarso came third in 1hour 7secs.

Deriba Merga, the champion in the last two editions pulled out of the event at the last minute.

In the women’s event, Aselefech recorded the fastest time of 1h 8m 35s and won for the second time. The Ethiopian athlete won the half marathon here in 2008, but could not compete the next year.

Another Ethiopian Merima Mohammad came second (1h 8m 36s) while Yimer Wude of Kenya had to settle for the third place despite recording the same time as Merima in a photo finish.

Tamil Nadu’s Irappa D. Akki, with a timing of 1h 4m 32s, was the fastest men among the Indian runners. Santosh Kumar finished second (1h 4m 35s) while Ratti Ram Saini was third clocking 1h 4m 55s.

Lalita Babar, in her first attempt, came at top with a timing of 1h 18m 5s in the women’s category. Kiran Tiwari was second (1h 18m 55s) and Geeta Rani Tushir ((1h 20m 13s) was two minutes behind at third place.