Sutume Kebede runs North American all-comers’ half marathon record in Houston
Addis Ababa, January 15, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian athletes have been crowned winners of the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon, registering a few records in the process.
Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede has won the Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2024 women’s race with the time of 1:04:37, running the fastest women’s half marathon on U.S. soil. The performance moves the 29-year-old to joint eighth on the women’s world half marathon all-time list and takes 26 seconds off the previous all-comers’ record of 1:05:03 set by Kenya’s Vicoty Chepngeno at the 2022 edition of the race.
Coming into the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, Sutume Kebede was not considered one of the elite runners. However, she changed that narrative on Sunday, registering that record on U.S. soil.
“I was training for a very fast half time,” Sutume said. A late addition to the race, she asserted that she is glad she raced in Houston. “I have been asked to run here for some time,” Sutume said. “I was told this was a very fast course and you can run a fast time. I want to thank the organizers.”
Her compatriot Buze Diriba Kejela claimed the third spot, clocking 1:06:24 where Hellen Obiri of Kenya finished second in 1:06:07.
In the men’s race, Jemal Yimer of Ethiopia won in 1:00:42. He came out on top in a sprint finish against runner-up Wesley Kiptoo of Kenya (1:00:43), Milkesa Tolosa of Ethiopia (1:00:45), and American Abbabiya Simbassa (1:00:45).
Speaking after the race, Jemal said, “I prepared in training to show how great the course was. It worked out well. I’d love to come back and run here again.”
Meanwhile, Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia runs the third fastest time in race history to win the Chevron Houston Marathon in 2:19:33. According to the organizers of this competition, this is Rahma’s first marathon victory since 2018 and a four minute personal best. Her compatriot Meselech Tsegaye finished third in 2:19:33. Other Ethiopians Bosena Mulatie and Atsede Bayisa finished 6th and 7th, respectively.
In the men’s race Tsedat Abeje Ayana claimed second spot with the time of 2:07:00, behind first-placed Zouhair Talbi of Morocco.