Ethiopian runners win Delhi half marathon

New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Ethiopians Deriba Merga and Aselefech Mergia won the Airtel Delhi open half marathon for men and women respectively here Sunday.

Sandeep Kumar and Kavita Raut recorded the best timings among the Indians.

It was an African sweep in the open event. Merga clocked 59 minutes 15 seconds to take the gold, silver and bronze medals going to Kenyans Wilson Kipsang (59:16:0) and Wilson Chebet (59:34:0).

Mergia won the women's race, clocking 1:08:17 while fellow-Ethiopian Gelet Getent (1:98:18) was second and Kenyan Peninah Arusei (1:08:20) third.

Sandeep Kumar clocked 1:04:48 to win the Indian section with Kashi Nath (1:04:52) and Deep Chand (1:94:56) coming in second and third.

Maharashtra's Kavita Raut (1:17:12) took the honours among Indian women followed by Preethi L. Rau (1:17:20) of Karnataka and Sudha Singh (1:17:39) of Uttar Pradesh.