GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Gebretsadik Abraha Adihana won the Guangzhou Marathon in 2:08:04, breaking the event record along with other six runners here on Sunday.
Emmanuel Rutto Naibei of Kenya finished second in 2:08:27, followed by his countryman Mike Kiptum Boit at 2:08:58. China's Dong Guojian, Peng Jianhua and Eritrea's Samuel Tsegay also broke the event's 2:10:01 record set by Dickson Kipsang in 2017.
"I felt the passion of this city, the environment and weather helped me a lot," Adihana said after the race, who set his personal best at 2:06:23 in Amsterdam in 2016.
Chinese marathon runners have been making great progress recently. Dong and Peng both breaking the event record, but they are aiming higher.
"This race gave me a lot of confidence. I believe Chinese runners also have the opportunity to stand on the podium of major Marathon events in the world in the near future." Dong Guojian, who finished fourth at 2:09:00 said after the race.
Ethiopia's Hiwot Gebrekidan set the new event record to win women's marathon in 2:23:50.
"It is a rare occasion that seven runners broke the event record, It is also a success for the local organizers." Said Jin Feihong, director of China Marathon Majors.
The temperature was between 9 and 15 degrees Celsius during the race, which was a major boost for runners to challenge their personal best.
"The cool and sunny weather during the race helped runners a lot. It is very comfortable for long-distance running," said Wang Junxia, Guangzhou Marathon's promoting ambassador and the winner for women's 5000 meters in Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
