Kenya's Marius Kipserem described his victory at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon as his "best win so far" after breaking his personal best time to win the inaugural title.
Kipserem, 30, completed the race in four hours, four minutes and four seconds to win, taking off more than two minutes of his previous best time of 2:06:11 set at the 2016 Rotterdam Marathon. His Abu Dhabi time is the 12th fastest of all time.
Runner-up and fellow Kenyan Abraham Kiptum, who is the half-marathon record holder, also clocked his personal best of 2:04:16, more than a minute quicker than his previous mark.
Ethiopian Dejene Debela prevented a Kenyan sweep of the podium with a third-place finish ahead of Thomas Rono and Stanley Biwott.
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Gallery from the inaugural Abu Dhabi Marathon
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Ababel Yeshaneh, centre, stands atop the podium after smashing her personal best to win the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Winner of the 42km men's division with (L-R) Kiphim (2nd), Kipserem (1st) and Gonfa (3rd) with Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Commander-In-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is Minister of State in the United Arab Emirates, the Director-General and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Dr. Salem Al Kaabi, General Manager of Tadweer at the ADNOC ABU Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Spectators at the race at the ADNOC ABU Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Winner for men’s division 42km Kipserem finishing the race at the ADNOC ABU Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Winner for women’s division Yashaneh finishing the race at the ADNOC ABU Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Participants at the start of the race at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Elite runners warming up before the race at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Participants warming up before the race at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
10K Marathon finishers collapsing of tiredness at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Finisher at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Paraathletes in a wheelchair participating in the marathon at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Paraathletes in a wheelchair participating in the marathon at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Winner of the 10km race women’s division Abeba Ejigu, right, and Emily Chebet at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Participant who finishes at the 10km marathon getting his medal at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Winner of the 10km race Richard Kimunyan (right) and runner-up Maxwell Rotich at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Participants starting the race at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Participants at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. Leslie Pableo for The National
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“I would rate this marathon as my best win so far," Kipserem said after his seventh win in 15 marathons. "I have achieved a personal best time and also to be the first winner in Abu Dhabi, a record nobody can take it away.
“It was a fast course and the race was very good. It was very much to my liking. Abu Dhabi being the final race of the year, now I plan to take a break and prepare for my next marathon, perhaps, around April.
“I’ll be targeting to be 100 per cent again when I’m back for my next race because you just can’t keep running throughout the year. The recovery time is important, so by April I think, I will be ready for my next marathon.”
Kipserem was chased all the way until the final kilometre by Kiptum,who even took the lead for a few strides, but Kipserem kicked on from to retake control.
“I knew we were quite similar in strength and once he overtook me I realised I had to push. Gave it everything in the end,” Kipserem said.
Kiptum conceded Kipserem was too fast for him on the day but he insisted he happy with the result.
“I gave it everything but Kipserem was too strong,” he said. “I’m really happy with my own performance and obviously will keep training for the next marathon.”
In the women's race, Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh smashed her personal best by nearly 13 minutes to win the title ahead of Bahrain's Eunice Chumba and compatriot Gelete Burka.
Yeshaneh's winning time of 2:20:16 was a huge improvement on her previous best of 2:33:10, set at the Milan Marathon in April 2013.
“The race was very nice and I’m very happy to win with a personal best time. It’s my first time in Abu Dhabi and to win was special,” she said.
Chumba added: “I am proud and I ran a good time for second place. It was a competitive race and it is my first time in Abu Dhabi. Everyone is very friendly and I am so happy to be here.”
