APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa smashed the course record to triumph in the Osaka Women’s Marathon in Japan on Sunday.
Edesa took more than two minutes off the course record of the World Athletics Platinum Label road race, clocking in an equal PB of 2:18:51.
In what was a close race, the Ethiopian crossed the finishing line just eight seconds ahead of the long-time leader Honami Maeda of Japan, who clocked an Asian record of 2:18:59.
Edesa, who ranked 20th in the women’s marathon by the World Athletics, had records on her mind leading up to today’s race.
“I know I could break the course record,” said Edesa, who now shifts her attention to another road race. “I will run the Boston Marathon next and try to win.”
In Osaka, three-time winner Mizuki Matsuda used her experience to finish third in a dramatic manner.
She passed fellow Japanese Sayaka Sato and then Ugandan record-holder Stella Chesang to make her way into third spot in 2:23:07. Chesang took fourth (2:23:36), more than a minute ahead of Sato.
MG/abj/APA