ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian runners are a source of pride in Ethiopia, and for the second straight marathon event, they swept through to victory. Ethiopia's Heile Haja Gemeda and Ehitu Kiros Reda were the winners of Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon on Sunday in China's territory. Gemeda sailed past the finish line in two hours 23 minutes and 56 seconds to lift the men's title. Kenyan Duncan Cheruiyot Koech followed at heel in 2:24:00, reports Xinhua. Gemeda's compatriot Gezahegn Alemayehu Abebe was third in 2:24.11. In the women's event, Ethiopia had a one-two finish as Reda set the winning pace in 2:50:11 before Tsega Gelaw Reta on 2:51.04. Irene Kemunto Mogaka of Kenya took bronze 1:21 off the pace. Each winner took home $20,000 as prize money. The victories are another source of pride for the country, with many telling Bikyamasr.com they welcomed the success of their runners as a matter of nationalism. “It is just another great action for us as a country and shows we are a strong people," one cafegoer told Bikyamasr.com on as he heard about the race. In Chicago last month, Tsegaye Kebede became the first Ethiopian man to win the Chicago Marathon by winning Sunday's 35th edition in a course record, with compatriot Atsede Baysa taking the women's title by a stride. Kebede surged in the final mile to win in 2:04.38 and defeat countryman Feyisa Lilesa by 14 seconds, with Tilahun Regassa third in 2:05:26 on his marathon debut to complete an Ethiopian men's podium sweep. “This is a great day for us, for Ethiopia especially," Kebede said.
