Rome, 11 March ’18 – The most awaited star, American Galen Rupp, recent winner of theChicago Marathon, won, dominating the 44th edition of the Huawei RomaOstia bringing back aNon-African athlete to the highest step on the podium after 21 years (the last was Stefano Baldini in1997). Galen, on this occasion, demolished his personal best by closing the race with a time of59:47 despite a light shower that interfered with his final sprint.Rupp launched the decisive attack between the 15th and the 16th kilometer when, after a tactic of waiting during which he passed his most accredited opponents, he lengthened the pace by detaching from the Kenyans Moses Kemei, second in 1:00:44, and Justus Kangogo who, after arriving in second place last year, climbed on the podium and stopped the stopwatch at 1:01:02.”It was a splendid race” – said a Galen Rupp, not at all tired by the 21,097 km just traveled – “even the weather conditions helped us until the end. A light wind and almost no rain really, everything was perfect. I knew I was well, I wanted to win and I did it. I congratulate my opponents who fought until the end “.
The female race was dominated by the Ethiopian, Hftamenesh Haylu first to the finish line first in 1:09.02 before her competitor Dera Dida who came in a very close second at 1:09:21. Third place was awarded to one of the favorites, Kenyan Rebecca Chesir, who set a time of 1:11:04. The first of the Italians was the athlete from the Fiamme Gialle, Rosalba Consul, overall sixth, who closed the race despite a fever, in 1:13:44.”This race always gives me incredible emotions – she declared at the finish line – I am always treated like a champion. I really wanted to be here and I’m happy with my performance”.
The Organization thanks all the institutions and its numerous partners: Rome Capital and RegionLazio, FIDAL and CONI. Huawei, Joma, Acea, Enervit, Sara Insurance, GLS Corriere Espresso, Citroen, Brioche Pasquier, Virgin Active, Cetilar di Pharmanutra, Egeria, Barceló Aran Mantegna, Minguzzi, TDS. For the 5 km Euroma2 and Soport85. As well as its media partners: La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messenger, Radio 2 and FOX Sports.
