Kenya’s Ebenyo, Ethiopia’s Kebede Triumph in Tata Steel Kolkata 25K
Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Sutume Asefa Kebede set world bests in the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, marking a historic moment in road racing.
KOLKATA – Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede have made history at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K by setting world bests for a standalone 25K race.
Their exceptional performances shattered the previous world bests set by Dennis Kimetto and Mary Jepkosgei Keitany in 2012 and 2010, respectively.
Ebenyo, with a time of 1.11:13, and Kebede, clocking 1.18:47, surpassed the event records in their respective categories.
The previous men’s event record was held by Leonard Barsoton, and the women’s record by Desi Jisa.
Their victories not only earned them a winner’s cheque of $7500 each but also an additional bonus of $3000 in the US $100,000 prize money race.
Victor Kipruto Togom and Tesfaye Demeke followed Ebenyo, with Togom also bettering the previous event record.
Ebenyo, a silver medalist from the Budapest Worlds and the World Half-Marathon championships, led most of the race, increasing his pace significantly after the 19K mark.
He dedicated his win to his girlfriend, acknowledging her support and encouragement.
In the women’s race, Kebede outperformed her compatriot Yalemzerf Yehualaw, the half-marathon world championships bronze medalist.
Kebede, who had previously won the Big-25 in Berlin, executed a strategic race, accelerating in the final kilometre.
Her victory time is the fourth fastest by women at this distance, although the three faster times were achieved en route to a marathon.
Kebede expressed satisfaction with her performance, attributing her success to the favorable course and weather conditions.
Following are the provisional results:
Overall International Men:
Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) 1:11:13 (NEW EVENT RECORD)
Victor Kipruto Togom (Kenya) 1:12:26
Tesfaye Demeke (Ethiopia) 1:13:36
Haymanot Alew (Ethiopia) 1:13:44
ABE Gashahun (Ethiopia) 1:13:51
Bennard Biwott (Kenya) 1:13:57
Jackson Kipleting (Kenya) 1:15:44
Sawan Barwal (India) 1:17:49
Gaurav Mathur (India) 1:20:33
Genetu Molalign (Ethiopia) 1:31:39.
Overall International Women:
Sutume Asefa Kebede (Ethiopia) 1:18:47 (NEW EVENT RECORD)
Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) 1:19:26
Betty Chepkemoi Kibet (Kenya) 1:21:43
Emebet Niguse (Ethiopia) 1:22:43
Nelly Jeptoo (Kenya) 1:23:00
Anchinalu Dessie (Ethiopia) 1:23:18
Mecyline Chelangat (Uganda) 1:25:37
Tsige Haileslase (Ethiopia) 1:28:37
Reshma Kevate (India) 1:30:38
Seema (India) 1:32:07
Indian Men:
Sawan Barwal 1:17:49
Gaurav Mathur 1:20:33
M D Aseem 1:42:08.
Indian Women:
Reshma Kevate 1:30:38
Seema 1:32:07
Nirmaben Thakor Bharatjee 1:32:40
Tamsi Singh 1:35:33
Sanghamitra Mahata 1:35:54
Shyamali Singh 1:38:27
Phoolan Pal 1:40:09
Ekta Rawat 1:47:49
