Hong Kong Marathon 2016 Results: Men's and Women's Top Finishers

Mike Kiprotich Mutai and Haylay Letebrhan Gebreslasea triumphed in the men’s and women’s races, respectively, at the 2016 Hong Kong marathon.

The competitors were forced to battle against the elements in this event, as the rain tumbled down and cold weather engulfed the course. But the race was still dominated by the elite African athletes, with two Kenyans and one Ethiopian on the podium in the men’s race and three Ethiopians taking the medals in the women’s.

Here’s a look at the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s races, their times and a recap of some of the top moments from the day’s event.

Men's Race	Runner	Time
Women's Race	Runner	Time
1.	Mike Kiprotich Mutai	2:12.12
2.	Lawrence Cherono	2:12.14
3.	Gemeda Dadi Feyera	2:12.20
1.	Haylay Letebrhan Gebreslasea	2:36.51
2.	Lemma Ayelu Geda	2:36.53
3.	Bizuayehu Ehite Gebireyes	2:37.28

Mutai and Gebreslasea Secure Wins

ANTHONY WALLACE/Getty Images

The Hong Kong marathon has certainly been growing in prestige year upon year, and that progression was evident in the quality and number of competitors on the start line this time round.

Indeed, as noted by James Porteous of the South China Morning Post, an estimated 61,000 competitors took to the course for what was the 20th edition of this race, despite the inclement weather. 

Stephane Jourdain of AFP captured the scene at the start line, with plenty of runners ready to embark on the 26.2-mile course:

The poor conditions meant that a fast time was unlikely on the day, but we were still treated to a couple of excellent races, especially in the men’s event, which was won by Mutai. 

With a personal best of 2:09.18 in the marathon, the Kenyan was always going to be one of the favourites for victory here. And he kept himself well in the hunt in the leading group, staying the course as the pace gradually increased. In compatriot Lawrence Cherono, he had some competition that was proving tough to shake off, though.

Ethiopa's Gemeda Dadi Feyera, who finished third, was also in pursuit for long stages of the race, but he was eventually broken in the final mile as the Kenyan duo upped the ante.

It was Mutai who just had the edge over his countryman, coming home in a time of 2:12.12 after a sprint finish, just two seconds clear of Cherono, who finished in 2:12.14.

Afterwards, Mutai conceded the conditions were tough, but not too unfamiliar, per Porteous. "The weather was not good but we just had to try our best. Despite the conditions, I really enjoyed the race," he said. "The conditions were similar to what I've trained in in Kenya, so it wasn't too much of a problem.”

ALEX OGLE/Getty Images

The women’s race was just as close on the day, with another battle between two compatriots in the home straight.

This time it was Gebreslasea who clung on to secure her first ever marathon win. After finishing fourth at this event in 2015, the Ethiopian was aware of the kind of challenges posed by this circuit, and she used that knowledge to her advantage to run away from a determined Lemma Ayelu Geda with the finish line in sight.

The champion eventually crossed the line in 2:36.51, again, just two seconds clear of her compatriot. Ethiopia’s Bizuayehu Ehite was a fair way back in third, coming home in 2:37.28.