Stella Chesang wins bronze in Hamburg Marathon

Stella Chesang won bronze at Hamburg Marthon. Hindustan Times

ATHLETICS Stella Chesang wins bronze in Hamburg Marathon

Moses King 16:12 - 23.04.2023

Long-distance athlete Stella Chesang won bronze in her debut Hamburg Marathon on April 23.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games winner in 10,000m and national record holder in 3,000m and 10,000m and half-marathon posted an impressive 2:20:2, a new national record.

The Hamburg Marathon attracted a star-studded line-up of Ethiopia's Tiruye Mesfin, Tsige Haileslase and the Kenyan duo Marion Kibor and Dorcas Tuitoek.

The Ethiopian youngster ran a superb 2:18:47 debut at the Valencia Marathon in December and was highly fancied to carry the day in Hamburg.

Mesfin promised a course record ahead of the Hamburg marathon, setting such a huge responsibility on her shoulders.

She started pacing and controlling the race's better part with the leading pack. Among the leading at the front were Ethiopians Kumeshi Sichala, Tsige Haileslase, Sintayehu Tilahun, Marion Zenebu Bihonzg, and Kenya's Marion Kibor and Dorcas Tuitoek.

Uganda's Stella Chesang closely kept in touch with the leading pack.

However, in the closing stages, Mesfin suffered a cramp in the right leg. As a result, she slowed down, giving Kenya's Tuitoek the chance to win the race posting 2:20:09 as she came second at 2:20:18.

Stella Chesang beat off competition from Tsige Haileslase and Marion Kibor. The result boosts her qualification for the 2024 Paris Games.

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