A round-up of some of the latest global news and results, including a win ahead of Patrick Makau for Yemane Tsegay in Japan and details of further world record thoughts for Almaz Ayana

Yemane Tsegay beats Patrick Makau

World marathon silver medallist Yemane Tsegay from Ethiopia defeated reigning two-time champion Patrick Makau from Kenya in the Fukuoka Marathon.

Tsegay clocked 2:08:48 to defeat the former world record-holder by nine seconds, while Yuki Kawauchi put himself in contention for a place on the national team for the 2017 World Championships with a third-place finish in 2:09:11, the sixth fastest time of his career. Kawauchi was advised not to run after spraining his left ankle and had been suffering from leg injuries in the lead-up to the race.

Hayato Sonoda was fourth in a seven-minute lifetime best of 2:10:40, with Eritrea’s Amanuel Mesel (2:10:48) and Poland’s Henryk Szost (2:10:53, fifth best time by an European in 2016) rounding out the top six.

Canada’s Reid Coolsaet just missed the Canadian record in seventh in 2:10:55. Notable non-finishers include James Kwambai and Daniel Chebii, while Tariku Bekele recorded a mark at 40km (2:09:01) but dropped out in the last 2.2km.

From Japan Running News.

Almaz Ayana eyes world record

IAAF world athlete of the year Almaz Ayana is thinking about breaking the 5000m world record in 2017. “This year I broke the (10,000m) record, and next year I want to improve my performance in all events and hopefully to run again for my country,” she said during an IAAF press point.

“The 3000m is too short for me. In the 5000m I want to try and break the world record.”

California International Marathon

Kenyans Nelson Oyugi (2:11:41) and reigning champion Elisho Barno (2:11:52) took a one-two in the men’s race at the California International Marathon ahead of Daniel Tapia (2:12:28), while Kenya’s Sarah Kiptoo won the women’s race in 2:31:20 from Stephanie Bruce (2:32:37) and Lauren Jimison (2:33:21).

Ethiopian half-marathon championships

Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Tamirat Tola won the Ethiopian Athletics Federation 10th half-marathon championships with a time of 61:53. Second with some space behind was African Champs medallist at 5000m, Getaneh Molla (62:28) and third was Aredom Teumay (62:40).

In the women’s race the title went to Tadelech Bekele with 70:28 (2:22 marathon runner) as she was also more than 30 seconds ahead of Ashete Bekere (71:13) and Gulume Tolossa (71:20). A close fourth was Meseret Mengistu (71:22) over Ayantu Gemechu (71:48) and (Berhane Dibaba) 72:34.

Montferland Run

Olympic marathon silver medallist Eunice Kirwa from Bahrain won the Montferland Run over 15km in 48:37 ahead of former world champion Edna Kiplagat (48:54) and Meselech Melkamu (50:13), with Czech Republic’s Olympian in marathon and former nordic skier Eva Vrabcova the top European finisher in fifth in 51:17.

Little known Ethiopian Herpasa Negasa won the men’s race in 43:02 by four seconds from Kenyans Frederick Kipkosgei (43:06) and Peter Kiprotich (43:40). Abdi Nageeye was fourth on home soil in 43:58.

As a sidenote, Kirwa is the sister of Felix Kiptoo, who also won the Singapore Marathon on the same day.

Malaga Marathon

The Malaga Marathon, due to held on Sunday, was cancelled because of floods.

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