Ethiopian athletes win men and women's Rome marathon

Ethiopian runners continued their proud tradition in the Italian capital, as they dominated a rain-drenched Rome Marathon on Sunday when they won both the men and women’s event.

Ethiopian Shura Kitala Tola won the men’s race in 2:07:30, the second fastest time ever in Rome, ahead of Kenyan duo Ruto Dominic and Benjamin Bitok, while the women’s podium was a clean sweep for Ethiopia.

Rahma Chota Tusa won the race for a second year in a row, ahead of Mestawot Tadesse Shankutie and Abeba Tekulu Gebremeskel.

More than 16,000 runners from 130 countries had entered this year’s 23rd edition of the ACEA Rome Marathon, which is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, and whose inaugural outing in 1974 attracted just 313 runners.