Ethiopia's legendary runner Kenenisa Bekele notched up another impressive milestone in an already glittering career by winning the Paris Marathon on Sunday, his first attempt at the gruelling event. The 31-year-old 5,000m and 10,000m world record crossed the line in an event record time of 2hr 5min 04secs after negotiating a sunbathed course of 42.195km (26.22 miles) through the streets of the French capital.
The previous Paris record was held by Kenya's Stanley Wiwott who clocked 2hr 05:10 in 2012. Fellow Ethiopian Limenih Getachew came home second at 2hr 06.49secs with Luka Kanda of Kenya, the 2012 Rome winner, claiming the final spot on the podium crossing the line in 2hr 08.02. "It was my first marathon and I didn't have much experience," said Bekele, the triple Olympic champion. "It was very tough but it was the time I expected. After 25km I pushed alone but it was very tough." added "Now, I know the marathon, I can run faster than that but I have to prepare even more. I'm sure I can run a better time than that. I still have time in my career to do better but I am satisfied."