Beirut, Lebanon - As good as his word, Alemayehu Shumye of Ethiopia won the BLOM Beirut Marathon on Sunday morning (30), obliterating the course record by over four minutes in the process, with 2:12:47. Shumye won by over three minutes, with Michael Kipkorir of Kenya second in 2:16:15, and another Ethiopian, Hussen Adem third in 2:16:44. All three were inside the previous record of 2:17:04, set by Paul Rugut of Kenya, in the inaugural race in 2003. There was an Ethiopian 1-2-3 in the women

Pat Butcher for the IAAF
 
RESULTS

MEN
1 Alemayehu Shumwe ETH 2:12:47
2 Michael Kipkorir KEN 2:16:15
3 Hussen Adem ETH 2:16:44
4 Ibrahim Limo KEN 2:17:38
5 Peterson Wachira KEN 2:18:00
6 Tilahun Woeku ETH 2:21:43

WOMEN
1 Alemtsehay Hailu ETH 2:37:20
2 Tadelech Birra ETH 2:37:58
3 Wudnesh Nega ETH 2:39:09