Joyce Chepkemoi Tele wins Mumbai Marathon

The reigning Ljubljana City marathon champion, Joyce Chepkemoi Tele dominated the women’s race on her maiden appearance at the 20th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon on Sunday (19) in Mumbai Maharashtra, India.

The 29 year-old who was taking part in her second marathon in three months, took charge of the race at the 27km mark after dropping the defending champion, Aberash Minsewom from Ethiopia who eventually dropped out of the race after the first half.

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Tele who last year took part in three half marathon races, winning two and finishing third, managed to hold off the tough field of Ethiopians as she cut the tape first, 41 seconds slower that the women course record of 2:24.15 set two years ago by Anchialem Haymanot of Ethiopia.

“When I came here, I didn’t think of the course record at all. My training for Mumbai marathon was very short and I didn’t think I could actually win,” said Tele.

Tele was followed in second place by Ethiopian-born Shitaye Eshete, a naturalized Bahraini now, and one of the pre-race favorites in 2:25.29 with Ethiopia’s Medina Deme Armino sealing the podium in 2:27.58.

Ethiopia’s Nigsti Haftu and Shewarge Alene finished in fourth and fifth in respective time of 2:28.29 and 2:29.34.

Tele took home Kshs 6,483,500 (50,000) as prize money.

LEADING RESULTS

42KM WOMEN

1. Joyce Tele           (KEN) 2:24.56
2. Shitaye Eshete     (BRN) 2:25.29
3. Medina Armino   (ETH) 2:27.58
4. Nigsti Haftu         (ETH) 2:28.29
5. Shewarge Alene  (ETH) 2:29.34