Experienced runner Abebe Mekuriya finished Sunday’s Philadelphia Marathon first with a time of 2:17:35. This was also his first marathon in the United States — in fact, it was the first time he’s been to this country.
Just about a minute behind him was Tesfaye Dube, also an Ethiopian, who came in second with a time of 2:18:15.
Nick Hilton wasn’t far behind that. He clocked in at 2:19:36 to finish his first ever marathon.
Russian Irina Alexandrova won the women’s division with a time of 2:39:06. She was followed by Tezeta Dengersa of Washington, D.C., who finished with a time of 2:40:13, and Meseret Basa, of New York City, who wasn’t far behind at 2:40:51.
“The course was great, the crowds and today’s conditions were very good,” Alexandrova said. “I very much wanted to win today and am very happy with my win.”
Records were set for the half marathon. Rkia El Mouskim finished the women’s division with at time of 1:10:53, breaking a record set last year. She also set a record at Saturday’s 8K.
Elijah Karanja once again took the top men’s spot in the half. He finished at 1:02:59.
About 30,000 runners participated in the full of half marathon over the weekend, while double that number watched from the streets of Philadelphia.
