Catherine Amanang’ole wins her first marathon in style

Reigning World Road Running bronze medallist, Catherine Reline Amanang’ole ran the third fastest time in Abu Dhabi when she ran away with the women’s title at the sixth edition of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon held on Saturday (14) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The 22 year-old who also took the bronze medal at this year’s Copenhagen Half Marathon, took charge of the race from the halfway mark and strolled on with her two pacemakers after dropping Ethiopia’s Dolshi Tesfu’s who could not respond to her kick and surged further alone on her second marathon debut, cutting the tape first in a new personal best of 2:20.34. Amanang’ole was followed in second place by the two-time Olympian for Eritrea Tesfu in 2:23.47 with Aurelia Jerotich Kiptui from Kenya cutting over five minutes from her previous life time as she sealed the podium in a new personal best of 2:26.28.

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“I’m thrilled at the result, it being my first marathon. I have been training for this but I wasn’t so sure that I would win,” said Amanang’ole.

“The flat course and cooler weather very good for the run and the weather patterns were very good for the run. My pacemakers in the race did a good job to keep me going until the end,” said the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country third place finisher.

Amanang’ole went home with Kshs 12,902,210 (USD 100,000) as prize money

The race course record of 2:19.15, set last year by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei remains standing.

LEADING RESULTS

42KM WOMEN

1. Catherine Reline Amanang’ole  (KEN) 2:20.34
2. Dolshi Tesfu                                (ERI) 2:23.47
3. Aurelia Jerotich Kiptui                (KEN) 2:26.28