Kenya’s Judith Jeptum breaks course record at Paris Marathon

On a chilly morning in Paris this Sunday, Kenya’s Judith Jeptum won the Paris Marathon in definitive fashion, smashing the previous course record of 2:20:55, set by Purity Rionoripo of Kenya in 2017. Jeptum broke the tape more than three minutes ahead of the next competitor, finishing in 2:19:48.

Kenya's Judith Jeptum wins the Paris women's race by beating the course record in two hours 19 minutes and 48 seconds. pic.twitter.com/WRSt2BcC0V

— Geoffrey Mwamburi (@bekimwamburi) April 3, 2022

The women’s race

Jeptum broke away from the field at the 28-kilometre mark and never looked back. The 2021 Abu Dhabi Marathon winner continued to distance herself from the rest of the runners over the next 12 kilometres to win the race in a new personal best and course record.

Fantu Jimma of Ethiopia took second place, finishing in 2:22:52, and former 1,500m runner Besu Sado, also of Ethiopia, rounded out the podium in 2:23:16.

The men’s race

Deso Gelmisa wins the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon men's race in 2:05:07 from fellow Ethiopian Seifu Tura (2:05:10) with Frenchman Morhad Amdouni 3rd in 2:05:22. pic.twitter.com/B5gq2GaFVj

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 3, 2022

In a rare finish for a marathon, the men’s race came down to a final sprint. In the end, Deso Gelmisa of Ethiopia outsprinted his fellow countryman (and 2021 Chigaco Marathon winner) Seifu Tura, to take the win in 2:05:07. Tura finished only three seconds behind him in 2:05:10, and Morhad Amdouni of France (who was the 2018 10,000m European champ) completed the podium in third in 2:06:03.

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