Above: Runners, including Patricia Heithaus, left, struggle to
cross the finish line during the Naples Daily News Half
Marathon on Jan. 18, 2009. (Greg Kahn)

Naples Daily

By ADAM FISHER

NAPLES — Spectators and runners at Sunday’s Naples Daily News Half Marathon might have witnessed a power shift in the women’s race.

In an event controlled by Russian runners for more than a decade, a group of Ethiopian women dominated the field of the 21st race. Led by Belainesh Gebre’s victory, the Africans swept the top three spots and finished well ahead of anyone else.

Gebre won easily, finishing in one hour, 12 minutes and 14 seconds. She crossed the finish line more than a minute ahead of second-place Buzunesh Deba (13:24:87). Hirut Mandefro was third in 13:35:80.

“I’m happy for my first time,” said Gebre, 21, of her inaugural Half Marathon. “It’s a good course. It’s fast and flat.”

Before this year’s Half Marathon, Russians had won 10 of the past 13 races. With a fourth-place finish from Kenya’s Divina Jepkogei, Africa took the top four spots. Read More.