Olympics champion Sumgong sets record in Brazil

Africans once again dominated the annual Sao Silvester road race in Sao Paulo with Kenyan Jemima Sumgong setting a record in the women’s race and Ethiopian Leul Aleme winning the men’s race.

Sumgong, who won both the London marathon and a gold medal at the Rio Olympics earlier this year, finished the 15K (9.3 mile) race in 48 minutes and 35 seconds.

With a final sprint, Aleme finished in 44 minutes and 53 seconds, edging out fellow Ethiopian Dawit Admasu and Kenyan Stephen Kosgei, who finished second and third, respectively.

Some 30,000 runners from 42 countries took part in the traditional New Year’s eve race through the streets of Brazil’s largest city.

The Sao Silvester, or Saint Silvester, has become an end of the year staple in Sao Paulo with thousands of runners participating in the traditional race every year.

Several other cities, including Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico and Madrid, Spain also hold San Silvester races on New Year’s eve.

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athletics Brazil Record Road Race Sao Paolo Sao Silvester Sumgong

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