Bekere, 31, took a minute off her PR to win, in her first attempt at a World Marathon Majors race, though she has a strong sequence of wins or podium places going back to 2011 in races like Rome, Rotterdam, Toronto Waterfront, and Valencia. The victory secured her 40,000 Euros (about $43,000).
“I was confident I could win. My plan was always to be strong in the lead group, and take the initiative at the best time. I am a good friend of Mare Dibaba, so I knew she would be dangerous,” Bekere said. From the village of Birte, Ethiopia, which also produced men’s winner Kenenisa Bekele, she is a former soccer player and has an interest in fashion. Third-placer Sally Chepyego of Kenya (not to be confused with Sally Kipyego of the U.S.), also claimed local pedigree.
Women
1. Ashete Bekere (ETH) — 2:20:14
2. Mare Dibaba (ETH) — 2:20:21
3. Sally Chepyego (KEN) — 2:21:06
4. Helen Tola (ETH) — 2:21:36
5. Sara Hall (USA) — 2:22:16
6. Melat Kejeta (GER) — 2:23:57
7. Sally Kipyego (USA) — 2:25:10
8. Haftamnesh Tesfay (ETH) — 2:26:50
9. Martina Strahl (SUI) — 2:31:24
10. Nina Lauwaert (BEL) — 2:31:25