Lemma and Tollesa Achieve Historic Ethiopian Double at Frankfurt Marathon

Published by IAAF on October 26, 2015

Sisay Lemma and Gulume Tollesa became the first Ethiopian duo to win both the men's and women's races at the Frankfurt Marathon when they triumphed at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race on Sunday (25).

In a thrilling finish, three men entered the final kilometre together but Lemma then had enough in reserve to pull away from his Kenyan rivals Lani Rutto and Alfers Lagat and win in 2:06:26, improving his best by 40 seconds. Rutto and Lagat were second and third in PBs of 2:06:34 and 2:06:48 respectively.

The finish in the women's race was even closer as Tollesa beat compatriot Dinkinesh Mekash in a sprint finish to win in a huge PB of 2:23:12. Mekash was given the same time in second place.

However, the biggest cheers of the day were reserved for the man who finished fourth, Germany’s Arne Gabius.