Bounasr and Beyene claim titles at Beijing Marathon

Salah Eddine Bounasr of Morocco became the first Moroccan man to win the 37-year history Beijing Marathon on Sunday, while Melesech Tsegaye Beyene extended Ethiopians' winning streak in the women's race to four years.

Moroccan runner Salah Eddine Bounasr wins the 2017 Beijing Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, 17 seconds on Sunday, September 17, 2017. [Photo: Beijing Marathon Weibo]

Bounasr, 26, winner of the Guangzhou Marathon last year, timed two hours 11 minutes and 18 seconds to win the IAAF Gold Label Road Race. 2014 winner Girmay Birhanu Gebru of Ethiopia trailed in 2:11.26, while Stephen Kwelio Chemlany of Kenya finished third in 2:11:50.

"It is a little bit hot today. I tried my best in the race but still could not break 2:09 (the minimum requirement for the full prize money)," said Bounasr, who was not considered as a favorite before the race as there were 11 sub-2:10 runners in the field. "I came here for the win and I am glad to accomplish the goal."

Defending champion Mekuant Ayenew Gebre of Ethiopia only managed a seventh finish.

Ethiopian runner Melesech Tsegaye Beyene is the first female with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, 43 seconds at the 2017 Beijing Marathon on Sunday, September 17, 2017. [Photo: Beijing Marathon Weibo]

In the women's race, Beyene, 23, claimed the title in 2:27:44. Kenya's Rebecca Kangogo Chesir, runner-up at the Vienna Marathon this year, took second in 2:30:31. Rahma Tusa Chota of Ethiopia was third in 2:33:22.

"It's very nice, very good," said Beyene, runner-up of the Barcelona Marathon in March. "It's a little bit hot. I didn't expect to win, but I am really happy. This is my first time coming to Beijing Marathon. They city is very good, amazing. I hope I can come here next year."

Morocco's Dana Achahbar finished fourth in 2:40:51. China's He Yinli took the fifth in 2:42:53, far behind her PB 2:27:35 in 2015 Chongqing Marathon where she took a silver.

Some 30,000 runners took part in the 37th edition of Beijing Marathon.