Lemma beats Kenyan duo to clinch Frankfurt marathon

Ethiopia's Sisay Lemma won the Frankfurt marathon's men's race on Sunday, while local fans were given something to cheer about as Arne Gabius broke the German record in finishing fourth.

Having begun 2015 by running a new personal best in finishing fifth at the Dubai marathon in January, Lemma won the Vienna marathon in April and has now added the Frankfurt title in an official winning time of two hours, six minutes and 26 seconds.

Kenyan pair Lani Rutto, at eight seconds back, and Alfers Lagat, at 22secs, claimed third and fourth respectively while Hamburg-born Gabius broke the 27-year-old German marathon record with a time of 2:08.33 over the 42 kilometres.

The 34-year-old shaved 14 seconds off the previous record set by Joerg Peter in Tokyo in February 1988.

"I'm just happy the record has fallen," Gabius said, who ran the last 12 kilometres with stomach pain.

"It was painful, but hey that's competitive sports, you have to go to your limits."

There was a clean sweep of Ethiopian athletes in the women's race as Gulume Tollesa won in 2:23:12, beating Dinknesh Mekash on the finish line while Koren Jelela was third 40 seconds back.

Source: AFP