Lawrence Cherono, Tadelech Bekele repeat wins at TCS Amsterdam Marathon

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpMOGe4iDwP/?taken-by=tcsamsterdammarathon

Lawrence Cherono won this morning’s TCS Amsterdam Marathon in 2:04:06, breaking his own course record (set last year) by more than a minute. Mule Wasihun of Ethiopia was close behind Cherono, finishing second, in 2:04:37, and Solomon Deksisa, also of Ethiopia, was third, in 2:04:40.

Kenenisa Bekele, who was touted as a possibility to challenge Kipchoge’s world record set in Berlin last month, dropped out of the race with 1K left after falling behind quite early, appearing to be injured.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpMJme2ijMF/?taken-by=tcsamsterdammarathon

Tadelech Bekele of Ethiopia also successfully defended her title, winning the women’s marathon in 2:23:07. Bekele, who won last year’s marathon in 2:21:54, finished third in the London Marathon in 2:21:40 in April. Shasho Insemu and Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia (not Kenya, as the broadcaster stated), were hard on her heels, in second and third place, with time of 2:23:13 and 2:23:31.

Last year Lawrence Cherono set a 12-second course record here, with a winning time of 2:05:09. He finished one place behind Bekele at the London Marathon in April.

Winner of the Amsterdam Marathon crossing the line! Tadelech Bekele defends her title #amsterdammarathon pic.twitter.com/JxMdnI7srn

— Ellie Awford (@EllieAwford) October 21, 2018

When Tadelech, Shasho and Azmera became Kenyans.. ?..I think the graphics person at #amsterdammarathon is in love with #Kenya.. pic.twitter.com/ArjMCwrLuS

— Katami Michelle (@MichKatami) October 21, 2018

Michel Butter took the Netherlands national title, in 2:17:18. He was 13th overall.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpMOtN7iLKS/?taken-by=tcsamsterdammarathon

The TCS Amsterdam Marathon, which starts and finishes in Amsterdam’s historic Olympic stadium, is an IAAF Gold Label course.