Malakwen, Tadesse Bifa Win MTCM Titles

Kenyan Sammy Malakwen and Ethiopia's Yeshimebet Tadesse Bifa won titles at the 30th Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon today.

Malakwen (pictured, above), who often trains in Two Harbors when he is based in the United States, clocked 2:13:11 in his first career marathon victory. Bifa ran 2:28:24.

Malakwen pulled away from a pack of four runners in the final two miles of the race. Countryman Joseph Mutinda was second in 2:13:24; Weldon Kirui, also of Kenya, was third in 2:13:31.

Bifa (pictured, below) ran alone from the 17-mile mark on. Nedezdha Leonteva of Russia was second in 2:32:53. Former Griak Invitational champion Emily Harrison of Flagstaff, Arizona was third in 2:32:55.

Find StarTribune coverage of the race HERE. Pioneer Press coverage is HERE. My Running USA Wire story is HERE.

Find for complete results HERE.


Photos by Gene Niemi.