Tusse wins Country Music Marathon

Feyisa Tusse of Ethiopia took the lead in mile 25 and held off three challengers to win the Country Music Marathon on Saturday.

His winning time of 2:15:04 was five seconds ahead of Kenyan David Kirui, who made up over 25 seconds between miles 21 and 23 and took a short lead over Tusse. But he fell back to fourth place a mile later before closing with a strong kick for second.

Fekadu Degefu of Ethiopia finished third, 20 seconds behind Tusse, while 2003 Country Music Marathon champion Jomo Kororia of Kenya finished fourth at 2:16:06.

?This course is similar to where I run in Ethiopia,? Tusse said. ?All the ups and downs on the hills gave me an advantage.?

Tusse, Degefu, and Kororia, separated from a group of 10 at mile 19 with Kirui dropping off the pace. Each of the three leaders led the pace for the next four miles before Kirui made his move to the lead.

Tusse made his final move with less than two miles to go to become the first Ethiopian to win the race. All previous six winners were Kenyans.

Tatiana Mironova of Russia won the women?s division in 2:36:51. Anne Jelegat of Kenya finished second 32 seconds behind.

An estimated 23,000 competitors ran in either the marathon or half-marathon, 5,000 more than last year?s previous record.