Doha, January 20 (QNA) – Morocco’s Mohcin Outalha crossed the finish line first today in the mens marathon in a time of 2:06:49, setting a new record at Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2023 with Kenyan Gevin Kerich taking second place with 2:06:52 on the clock.
Kenyan Victor Kipchirchir and Ethiopian Adane Kebede finished in joint third place, registering a time of 2:06:54.
The marathon was attended by the Qatari Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim as a guest of honor at the start of the race from the point of preparation.
Ethiopian Meseret Belete took top spot in the womens marathon, clocking 2:20:45, with Desi Jisa Mokonin from Brunei finishing in second place with a time of 2:20:47. Kenyan Beatrice Cheptoo placed third with a time of 2:22:28.
In the open marathon category, the men’s race was won by Briton Michael Kallenberger with a time of 2:23:02, while the USAs Abigail Cember took top spot in the womens race, clocking 3:04:00.
Qatari runners were once again able to enter the Al Adaam category this year. Abdulla Fahad Al Zarra won the men’s marathon with a time of 2:48:21, while Rabaah Al Musleh finished first in the womens marathon with a time of 3:50:55.
The men’s half marathon was won by Morocco’s Anouar El Ghouz in a time of 1:03:23, with Ukrainian Tetiana Pydoyna winning the womens half marathon in 1:08:53.
Spectators were able to enjoy the electric atmosphere from the many vantage points along the runner-friendly route, with the race village offering several food and beverage options and plenty of fun to be had by all.
The Qatari Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim expressed his great happiness at attending the Ooredoo Doha Marathon this year, indicating that every year he kept thinking of attending the marathon to follow the race and the atmosphere of enthusiasm among the runners, but his training programs require him to be outside Qatar during the period in which the marathon is held, but this time he attended to follow the level of competition and excitement in the various races.
Barshim praised the great enthusiasm witnessed by the race.
For his part, Morocco’s Mohcin Outalha expressed his happiness at winning the first place in the men’s marathon and said that the competition was strong among all participants and witnessed great speeds, which had an impact on achieving a new record for the marathon. (QNA)