Olika Adugna Bikila, Worknesh Degefa Debele win as Ethiopians continue to dominate Dubai Marathon

Olika Adugna Bikila won the men’s Dubai Marathon on Friday ahead of Kenyan Eric Kiprono Kiptanui and Ethiopian compatriot Tsedat Abeje Ayana as the top 11 runners finished the race inside two hours and seven minutes. [caption id=“attachment_7804001” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AP[/caption] Ethiopians dominated the 21st edition of the race, with 10 of the top 11 finishers, and it was the ninth straight victory for the Horn of Africa country in Dubai. With little to separate the leading pack heading into the final kilometre, Bikila produced a late charge to cross the line in 2:06.15, 0.02 seconds ahead of his fellow debutant Kiprono, to collect the winner’s cheque of $100,000. Ayana took third place on the podium with a time of 2:06.18. Boston Marathon winner Worknesh Degefa Debele of Ethiopia won the women’s race with a time of 2:19.38 for her second title in the World Athletics Gold Label road race. The women’s winner also takes home $100,000. Debele’s compatriots Guteni Shone Amana (2:20.11) and Bedatu Hirpa Badane (2:21:55) were second and third respectively.