Athletics: Ethiopians Jufar, Abera win Houston Marathon

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Athletics: Ethiopians Jufar, Abera win Houston Marathon

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Ethiopians Tariku Jufar and Alemitu Abera won Houston Marathon titles in course-record times.

16 January,2012 07:28 am

Jufar captured the mens crown in a personal best of 2 hrs, 6 mins, 51 secs to break the old race record of 2:07.04 set last year by compatriot Bekana Daba, continuing a run of four titles in race-record time by Ethiopian men.Im very glad to run this course, Jufar said through a translator. Im glad I could achieve what I achieved.Ethiopias Debebe Tolossa was second in the mens race in 2:07.41 with Demessew Tsega third in 2:11.13.Jufar, 27, made a triumphant follow-up to his first marathon triumph, which came last November at Beirut. He was a runner-up last October at Istanbul.Abera won the womens title in 2:23.14, 39 seconds under the old womens race mark set in 2010 by Ethiopias Teyba Erkesso.Im also feeling joyful for the race and the time that I made, Abera said.Australias Benita Willis was second in 2:28.24 to claim a berth in her fourth Olympics later this year at London.I didnt want to risk going for a really fast time, Willis said. I just wanted to go for a really good, solid qualifier that would get me on the team and then recover quickly from it.