Athletics: Ethiopia, Kenya Dominate Paris Marathon

Ethiopian athlete Abeje Ayana won the men’s race at the Paris Marathon on Sunday in his first competitive run over the distance, while Kenya’s Helah Kiprop claimed the women’s title.

Ayana, 20, won in a time of two hours, seven minutes and 15 seconds, 20 seconds ahead of compatriot and pre-race favourite Guye Adola with Kenya’s Josphat Boit a further five seconds back in third.

After clocking 59:39 in a half marathon in Poznan, Poland in 2021, Ayana was one of the men to watch in the French capital.

• Read more: World Athletics bans transgender athletes from competing in female events

He sped away from a group of four after around 35 kilometres, quickly opening a 20-second gap which he held until the finish line to become the third Ethiopian to win the race in the last four years.

Helah Kiprop of Kenya

In the women’s race at the Paris Marathon, Helah Kiprop crossed the line in two hours, 23 minutes and 19 seconds after a stunning comeback.

Kiprop, 37, was lagging more than one minute behind the leading group after 25 kilometres but fought back before out-sprinting Ethiopian Atalel Anmut to the line.

Fikrte Wereta of Ethiopia took third place in the contest.