Kenyan Paul Lonyangata will have to wait to become the first three-time winner of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (commonly known as the Paris Marathon). A total of 49,155 runners started the 43rd edition, with the Kenyan winner of the previous two editions capitulating to Ethiopian Abrha Milaw at the end of the race. Gelete Burka made it a double for Ethiopia, crossing the finish line ahead of the men (who had started 16′39″ later) to take victory in the women’s race.
Abrha Milaw takes the throne
Paul Lonyangata’s reign in the Paris Marathon is over. The Kenyan runner, undefeated since 2017, was unable to stop Ethiopian Abrha Milaw from taking the crown. Victory was only decided at the end of a controlled and suspenseful race. There were still six runners in contention with less than 6 kilometers to go, including top favorites Paul Lonyangata and Ethiopian Asefa Mengistu. However, it was another Ethiopian, 30-year-old Abrha Milaw, who blew up the leading group almost without breaking a sweat. The winner of the last Marathon des Alpes Maritimes (French Riviera Marathon) made his move at 39th kilometer, as the race went past the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Neither Lonyangata, who was running with a right forearm splint, nor Asefa Mengistu was able to respond to his vicious attack. Abrha Milaw crossed the finish line with a time of 2:07:05, which is 20 seconds ahead of runner-up Asefa Mengistu and 24 seconds ahead of the winner of the two previous editions, Paul Lonyangata.
Gelete Burka by a whisker
The ladies managed to beat the elite men to the line after starting with a margin of 16′39″. The women’s race went down to the wire. The win was still up in the air 30 kilometers into the race, with three Ethiopians, Gelete Burka, Azmera Abreha and Azmera Gebru, and Kenyan Sally Chepyego locked in a fierce battle. Gelete Burka upped the pace with just one kilometer to go to drop her rivals. Only Azmera Gebru managed to follow at the beginning, only to crack and watch from behind as the winner of the 2018 Ottawa Marathon surged to her first victory in Paris with a time of 2:22:47. The 10,000 meter silver medalist in the 2015 World Championships beat Azmera Gebru by 5 seconds. Azmera Abreha took the bottom step of the podium, 48 seconds back.
All eyes were on her today. Clad entirely in black and hiding behind her shades, Clémence Calvin made an impressive display of fortitude to surge near the end and claim fourth place with a time of 2:23:41. It was a stellar performance that smashed the French record held until now by Christelle Daunay (2:24:22) and qualified Calvin for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Morhad Amdouni was also on a good day. Running in his first marathon, the European 10,000 m champion defied the odds to finish eighth with a time of 2:09:14, also good enough for a ticket to the Olympics. Nicolas Navarro (2:11:53), Florian Carvalho (2:12:53) and Benjamin Malaty (2 h 13′25″) capped the French performance by taking places 10 through 12.
Men’s Title
1. Abrha Milaw (ETH) 2:07:05
2. Asefa Mengistu (ETH) 2:07:25
3. Paul Lonyangata (KEN) 2:07:29
Women’s Title
1. Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:22:47
2. Azmera Gebru (ETH) 2:22:52
3. Azmera Abreha (ETH) 2:23:35
Instant reactions at Paris Marathon
“I’m delighted to add my name to the list of winners of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris. I suffered in the bitter cold this morning, but I managed to focus on my goal and on getting this victory I wanted so badly.” Gelete Burka
“It was a complicated race with a strong field. I was able to stick to my plan. I stayed with the favorites and then went for it with every ounce of energy I had left.” Abrha Milaw
“I held on until the end. Paris gave us the welcome I expected. I want to thank Paris, France, the Federation and everyone who’s supported me. The boiling lava of Auvergne runs through my veins.” Clémence Calvin
Source: Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris