<p><br />Kenyan's Mark Kiptoo came second clocking 28:15 second followed by Bernard Kipyego from Kenya at 28:24 seconds at the event which saw a turnout of over 23,000, comprising of participants from all walks of life, including students.</p>.<p>Merga was the winner of the Houston and Boston Marathon and of the Delhi half marathon.</p>.<p>Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, who was touted to give stiff competition to Merga, given the fact that he was second behind Kipsang in the Ras-al-Khaimah half marathon early this year, came fourth clocking 28:30 seconds.</p>.<p>In the overall Elite Women's section it was again Ethopia that clinched the first position with Mergia Asslefech, the hot favorite, clocking 32:08 seconds..</p>.<p>Mary Keitany of Kenya came second at 32:09 seconds followed by Ethopia's Aberu Kebede at 32:11 second followed by the Kenyan-born Dutch woman, Hilda Kibet ranked fourth at 32.22 seconds. The Dutch woman who has had the fastest time amongst the elite women with a personal best of 31:01 which she clocked in Holland last year, failed to beat Mergia, known for her strong sprint finish.</p>.<p>The event which saw long-distance African running superpowers vie for the title, witnessed some interesting moments as the titans clashed on the roads. </p>.<p>It was a close finish in the elite women category as Asslefech reached the finish just one second ahead of Mary. It was a neck-and-neck fight between Olympian Mergia and silver medallist Mary, forcing Mary to settle for the second spot.</p>.<p>In the beginning it appeared that the race belonged to the Ethopian atheletes, but Mary overtook Aberu, pushing the athelete to the third position.</p>.<p>A dissapointed Mary said "though I was leading right from the beginning, I could not maintain my stamina just near the winning post".</p>.<p>Mergia bagged the prize money of USD 21,000 while Mary took home USD 10,000 and Aberu 5000.</p>
<p><br />Kenyan's Mark Kiptoo came second clocking 28:15 second followed by Bernard Kipyego from Kenya at 28:24 seconds at the event which saw a turnout of over 23,000, comprising of participants from all walks of life, including students.</p>.<p>Merga was the winner of the Houston and Boston Marathon and of the Delhi half marathon.</p>.<p>Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, who was touted to give stiff competition to Merga, given the fact that he was second behind Kipsang in the Ras-al-Khaimah half marathon early this year, came fourth clocking 28:30 seconds.</p>.<p>In the overall Elite Women's section it was again Ethopia that clinched the first position with Mergia Asslefech, the hot favorite, clocking 32:08 seconds..</p>.<p>Mary Keitany of Kenya came second at 32:09 seconds followed by Ethopia's Aberu Kebede at 32:11 second followed by the Kenyan-born Dutch woman, Hilda Kibet ranked fourth at 32.22 seconds. The Dutch woman who has had the fastest time amongst the elite women with a personal best of 31:01 which she clocked in Holland last year, failed to beat Mergia, known for her strong sprint finish.</p>.<p>The event which saw long-distance African running superpowers vie for the title, witnessed some interesting moments as the titans clashed on the roads. </p>.<p>It was a close finish in the elite women category as Asslefech reached the finish just one second ahead of Mary. It was a neck-and-neck fight between Olympian Mergia and silver medallist Mary, forcing Mary to settle for the second spot.</p>.<p>In the beginning it appeared that the race belonged to the Ethopian atheletes, but Mary overtook Aberu, pushing the athelete to the third position.</p>.<p>A dissapointed Mary said "though I was leading right from the beginning, I could not maintain my stamina just near the winning post".</p>.<p>Mergia bagged the prize money of USD 21,000 while Mary took home USD 10,000 and Aberu 5000.</p>