Hy-Vee half marathon Ethiopians and a Moroccan came at the top

Now Rkia El Moukim can buy those wheels she's been wanting.

The diminutive Moroccan blazed to a record-setting win in the Hy-Vee Road Races half marathon on Sunday at Drake Stadium. El Moukim's time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 18 seconds is believed to be the fastest time ever run by a woman in Iowa.

El Moukim's 23-second margin of victory earned her $12,000, the biggest purse of her career, and a chance to break away from public transportation in her home country.

"Now I can buy a car," said El Moukim, who takes a train or bus around her home in Ifrane. "Working hard for that money is not easy. I've been training hard for this."

El Moukim said she would have to investigate what brands of cars she could find in Morocco. She chopped 50 seconds off the 2013 course record set by Ethiopian Belainesh Gebre despite contending with an hour delay caused by a thunderstorm that rolled through Des Moines shortly before the scheduled 7:30 a.m. start.

Mosinet Geremew of Durban, South Africa wins the men's half marathon during the Hy-Vee Road Races the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Sunday, April 27, 2014. He finished in 1:03:34.(Photo: Christopher Gannon/The Register)

The $12,000 top prize for the half marathon once again brought a gaggle of evenly matched African men to Iowa for a mass sprint on the stadium's blue oval. Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew kept his composure to fight off persistent Kenyan Kimutai Cheruiyot and win by 1 second in 1:03:34. Goitom Kifle was third in 1:03:37.

At least two men, fourth-place Aschalew Meketa and fifth-place Dominic Ondoro, entered the 10k finish chute before realizing their mistake and making a left-hand turn into the half marathon corral. Meketa ran 1:03:39, Ondoro 1:03:40.

Neither man likely would have caught Geremew, who was a few meters ahead on the track's blue oval.

"When we were going into the stadium I was No. 3," said Cheruiyot, confirming that Geremew was too far ahead of everyone. "I like the course. The wind wasn't bad."

Ethopians also played big roles in the 10-kilometer races. Birhan Nebebew of Ethiopia sliced 6 seconds off Emmanuel Bett's 28:23 course-record effort of 2013 to take the men's title. Nebebew won $5,000. Kenya's Emmanuel Bor grabbed second in 28:23.

Ethiopian Etalemahu Habtewold smashed Makida Abdela's 10k women's record by almost a minute after running 32:36. Habtewold won by 17 seconds over Kenya's Sophy Jepchirchir.

"She picked it up at 5k," said Jepchirchir, speaking for Habtewold who, like the other Ethiopians, spoke no English. "Once she picked it up it was difficult for me to close the gap. I tried my best."

Jepchirchir, El Moukim and Risper Gesabwa, the Hy-Vee half marathon runner-up, dueled last week in the Crescent City Classic 10k last weekend in New Orleans. In that one, Gesabwa took the win in 31:43, with El Moukim grabbing third and Jepchirchir fourth.

On Sunday, El Moukim saw a chance to open a gap over Gesabwa going up East Court Avenue to the State Capitol. El Moukim lengthened the gap around Gray's Lake before entering the difficult stretch of Bulldog Hill on 28th Street.

BULLDOG HILL: Volunteers provide needed inspiration for long climb

"It was long and it went up," El Moukim said the mile-long climb. "I feel like I'm dying and she's (Gesabwa) strong. I told myself, 'You can do it, you can do it. The finish line is not too far away."

This has been a big year for the El Moukim. The 26-year-old set a half marathon best of 1:10:03, earned $10,000 for winning the Shamrockin' Run 8k in New Orleans in March and set a personal-best time last weekend.

El Moukim will stay in America until June to search for more races.

"My manager will find something for me," El Moukim said. "I hope because I win (Sunday), I will be back."

Pasca Cheruiyot of Fort Dodge was the top Iowan in the half marathon races, taking fifth and earning $3,000.

Kenya's Nelson Oyugi won the men's 5k in 13:59. The women's winner was Ethiopia's Bertukan Feyisa in 16:15.

DRAKE RELAYSROAD RACES

At Des Moines

Men's Half Marathon Leaders

1. Mosinet Geremew 1:03:34; 2. Kimutai Cheruiyot 1:03:35; 3. Kifle Goitom 1:03:37; 4. Aschalew Meketa 1:03:39; 5. Dominic Ondoro 1:03:40; 6. Samson Gebreyohannes Gezaha 1:03:47; 7. Belete Assefa 1:03:58; 8. Julius Keter 1:04:03; 9. Reuben Limaa 1:04:08; 10. Geoffrey Kenisi 1:04:30; 11. Eliud Ngetich 1:04:46; 12. Shadrack Kosgei 1:05:44; 13. Jacob Chemtai 1:06:29; 14. Ayele Megersa 1:07:03; 15. Edward Tabut 1:08:33; 16. Gilbert Okari 1:08:52; 17. Joseph Ekuom 1:14.28; 18. Chris Robertson 1:14.38; 19. Malcolm Campbell 1:15:02; 20. Mikhail Romanov 1:15.39.

Age division winners—14-under—Niclaus Baack 1:52:32; 15-19—Michael Schemm 1:29:11; 20-24—Chris Robertson 1:14:38; 25-29—Justin Herrick 1:17:19; 30-34—Sapolai Yao 1:16:34; 35-39—Jeremy Williams 1:24:05; 40-44—Joel Frye 1:16:47; 45-49—Michael Kabela 1:24:08; 50-54—Jerry Lack 1:22:09; 55-59—Pete Sandler 1:41:00; 60-64—Bob Grote 1:36:13; 65-69—Robin Gray 1:43:53; 70-over—John Schneller 1:49:47.

Women's Half Marathon Leaders

1. Rkia El Moukim 1:11:18;2. Risper Gesabwa 1:11:41;3. Almaz Negede 1:13:25;4. Susan Jerotich 1:15:40; 5. Pasca Cheruiyot 1:16:24; 6. Meseret Basa 1:17:04; 7. Danna Kelly Herrick 1:18:20; 8. Lyubov Denisova 1:22:36; 9. Andrea Aerts 1:31:41; 10. Kassandra Moore 1:32:06; 11. Ellen Pollard 1:35:13; 12. Ava Henning 1:36:25; 13. Jana Titus 1:36:26; 14. Emily Funk 1:36:39; 15. Linnea Stephens 1:36:50; 16. Jodi Sunderman 1:36:50; 17. Lindsey Meyer 1:36:54; 18. Laura Steinauer 1:37:29; 19. Celia Bravard 1:37:35; 20. Monica Curry 1:37:41.

Age division winners—14-under—Emily Peterson 1:49:14; 15-19—Linnea Stephens 1:36:50; 20-24—Kassandra Moore 1:32:06; 25-29—Danna Kelly Herrick 1:18:20; 30-34—Jodi Sunderman 1:36:50; 35-39—Jodi Hanson 1:39:12; 40-44—Stacey Eddie 1:44:31; 45-49—Ellen Pollard 1:35:13; 50-54—Cathy Lack 1:44:15; 55-59—Patty Croonquist 1:44:09; 60-64—Jane Wickman 1:51:55; 70-over—Breta Westlund 2:40:46.

Men's 10 Kilometer Leaders

1. Birhan Nebebew 28:16;2. Emmanuel Bor 28:23; 3. Kenneth Kipkemoi 28:30; 4. Simon Ndirangu 28:35; 5. Josphat Bett 28:36; 6. Robert Ndiwa 28:55; 7. Aissa Dghoughi 29:08; 8. Julius Koskei 29:20; 9. Sammy Rotich 29:27; 10. Julius Kogo 29:29; 11. Ben Anderson 32:05; 12. Jason Thomas 32:32; 13. Michael Rodriguez 34:33; 14. Scott Johnson 35:41; 15. Derek Wilkerson 35:57; 16. Dave Baitinger 36:28; 17. Brad Johnson 36:32; 18. Ezana Yigzaw 37:37; 19. Lee Anderson 37:46; 20. Jonathan Ault 38:05.

Age division winners—14-under—Luke Mohan 39:28; 15-19—Ben Anderson 32:05; 20-24—Michael Rodriguez 34:33; 25-29—Derek Wilkerson 35:57; 30-34—Scott Johnson 35:41; 35-39—Matthew Wilson 38:20; 40-44—Dean Schwickerath 39:03; 45-49—Michael Hulett 38:10; 50-54—Jeffrey Nietert 38:37; 55-59—Tim Kelly 48:33; 60-64—John Philip Magnier 46:01; 65-69—Steve Hamilton 48:40; 70-over—Tom Kirkwood 50:58.

Women's 10 Kilometer Leaders

1. Etalemahu Habtewold 32:36; 2. Sophy Jepchirchir 32:53; 3. Caroline Kiptoo 34:23; 4. Cynthia Jerop 34:33; 5. Atalelech Asfaw 36:04; 6. Ellen Ries 37:17; 7. Susie Duke 38:15; 8. Trisha Schlick 40:46; 9. Molly Christensen 41:35; 10. Stephanie Mortenson 41:58; 11. Elise Fiscus 42:46; 12. Carrie Van Quarthem 43:22; 13. Monica Capper 43:39; 14. Jennifer Mills 43:56; 15. Caitlyn Diimig 43:57; 16. Erin Ross-Johnson 43:58; 17. Whitney Noe 44:15; 18. Torey Smith 44:41; 19. Erin Jansen 44:44; 20. Erin Bailey 44:46.

Age division winners—14-under—Maggie Fuhrman 55:32; 15-19—Chloe Matthews 49:34; 20-24—Caitlyn Diimig 43:57; 25-29—Ellen Ries 37:17; 30-34—Susie Duke 38:15; 35-39—Trisha Schlick 40:46; 40-44—Carrie Van Quathem 43:22; 45-49—Sharon Stubler 45:16; 50-54—Teresa Thomas 52:09; 55-59—Laurie Briden 53:14; 60-64—Caryn Westman 1:07:58; 65-69—Geraldine Moore 1:29:51.

Men's 5 Kilometer Leaders

1. Nelson Oyugi 13:59; 2. Haile Tegegn 14:01; 3. Diriba Degefa 14:01; 4. Cleophas Ngetich 14:11; 5. Dan Kremske 14:35; 6. Simion Chirchir 14:45; 7. Shadrack Kiyia 14:50; 8. Silas Kisorio 15:33; 9. Daniel Sevcik 16:04; 10. Paul Kemei 16:49.

Age division winners—14-under—Matthew Dubberke 20:47; 15-19—Ryan Ross 17:26; 20-24—Daniel Sevick 16:04; 25-29—Brady O'Neil 18:12; 30-34—Silas Kisorio 15:33; 35-39—Travis Ripperger 20:13; 40-44—Scott Lochhead 18:53; 45-49—Ron Kudron 20:17; 50-54—Stephen Feld 19:39; 55-59—Scott Winkel 19:48; 60-64—Tim Murphy 20:07; 65-69—Robert Larson 24:22; 70-over—Gary Muhrcke 25:07.

Women's 5 Kilometer Leaders

1. Bertukan Feyisa 16:15; 2. Hirut Damte 16:21; 3. Delilah Dicrescenzo 16:25; 4. Lilian Mariita 16:32; 5. Sarah Kiptoo 17:02; 6. Traci Kresser 17:31; 7. Nicole Benson 18:42; 8. Erin Block 18:57; 9. Cassandra Aerts 19:09; 10. Angie Voight 19:34.

Age division winners—14-under—Nicole Watters 21:10; 15-19—Laura Gann 19:41; 20-24—Nicole Benson 18:42; 25-29—Traci Kresser 17:31; 30-34—Sarah Janiak 20:33; 35-39—Erin Block 18:57; 40-44—Denise Forney 25:03; 45-49—Christine Comito 21:34; 50-54—Susan Knight 27:21; 55-59—Maureen Peters 28:51; 60-64—Rhonda Weers 31:21; 65-69—Marty Palecki 35:22; 70-over—Carole Rider 45:25.

Mariano Barreto, Portuguese takes charge of coaching Ethiopian players

By Betemariam Hailu- BBC Sport 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ethiopia Football Federation has confirmed the appointment ofMariano Barreto as the new coach of the national team.

The 57-year-old Portuguese signed a two-year contract on Tuesday to replace Sewnet Bishaw, who was sacked in February after a poor campaign at the African Nations Championship in South Africa.

Barreto’s main task will be to lead the Walya Antelopes to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Ethiopia are one of 21 nations who have gone straight into the group stages of the Nations Cup qualifiers, which get underway in September.

Barreto told BBC Sport his success would “depend on the level of my work”.

He added: “I know Ethiopian players have natural talent but most of the national team players are above the age of 26 and more so we have to look for the young boys if we want to qualify for tournaments, so we’ll work to improve and change this situation.

“In all the countries I have worked I have produced top players, so I hope when I leave Ethiopia I’ll see a top player on TV and he says I helped.”

Barreto has experience of managing an African nation before, having taken over as Ghana coach in 2003. But he quit in September 2004 after just nine months in charge, citing problems in communications with the country’s football association.

He went onto coach Portuguese side Maritimo and several other clubs in Europe including Russian sides Dynamo Moscow and Kuban Krasnador.

Source: BBC Sport

Meb Keflezighi is American, and so am I, Haimy Assefa.- CNN.com

Meb Keflezighi is American, and so am I
By Haimy Assefa, CNN
April 22, 2014 -- Updated 1915 GMT (0315 HKT)
Meb Keflezighi of the United States crosses the finish line to win the men's division of the Boston Marathon in downtown Boston on Monday, April 21. Meb Keflezighi of the United States crosses the finish line to win the men's division of the Boston Marathon in downtown Boston on Monday, April 21.
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The 2014 Boston Marathon
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Some have said Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi is not truly American
Haimy Assefa writes that she faced similar questions of her identity when she arrived from Ethiopia
"I am black. I am Ethiopian. I am American," author writes
Editor's note: Haimy Assefa is a CNN news assistant in New York City covering breaking news in the Northeast region. She has a background in international affairs and multimedia storytelling.
(CNN) -- I was born in Ethiopia, raised in Oklahoma and Colorado, and ended up in Brooklyn, New York.
Coming to America from Ethiopia, a place where black and white were only colors that had little to do with race, I had to learn English, and also the language of identity.
In America, I was black.
So when some online commenters questioned whether Boston Marathon winner and Eritrean-American Meb Keflezighi is truly "American," it reminded me of my own experience as an immigrant who became a naturalized American citizen and embraced a new identity.
My parents, two brothers and I had an incredible life in Ethiopia.
We always had the newest toys and clothes from my father's frequent work-related trips abroad.
There were lots of friends and just as much family. Life was very communal, much like our style of eating.
Of course, Ethiopia was not perfect, but it was all that I knew.
My well-traveled parents wanted to grant my brothers and I the opportunities that America offered.
Movies shaped my brothers' and my perception of America. As far as I was concerned, everyone lived in massive homes, owned multiple cars and was generally happier.
Eddie Murphy, left, in the movie, Coming to America.
Eddie Murphy, left, in the movie, Coming to America.
The movie "Coming to America" stunned me the most. The images of homeless people and the rundown apartment occupied by the characters played by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall contradicted the America of my imagination.
In the weeks before leaving Ethiopia, my older brother Yoseph and I used to stay up late talking about how a group of welcoming American friends, a brand new American car and a huge American house would soon be ours.
But landing in Oklahoma City, our expectations soon dissipated.
From the thick, humid air that permeates Oklahoma in August to the instant feeling of being an outsider, we began to breathe less easy.
In my fourth grade class, my peers were not as curious about me as I was about them. They avoided me and teased me for being African.
I mostly attributed my peers' distaste for me to my country of origin, until the day my older brother Yoseph came home from school after getting into a fight with a boy.
The boy had called him a "nigger."
I soon realized it wasn't just because of our funny accents or nationality that people treated us differently.


Source: CNN
Finding Ethiopia's future gold medalists
In America, we were seen as "black." I became painfully aware of my brown skin, my unruly hair, and the disapproving looks directed my way.
And so my introduction to American culture began.
By the time my family moved to Colorado, the outsized expectations of America were a distant memory.
I felt I had a better grasp of American culture and my new black identity. My English was fluent, without a trace of an accent; it allowed me to socialize with less reluctance.
I quickly made friends at my junior high school and became involved in extracurricular activities. I found comfort in having friends that looked like me.
By the time I was a teenager, working weekends serving meals at a retirement home, I learned the difference between subtle and overt racism.
There was man there who refused to speak to me, let me take his order, or even look me in the eyes because I was black. It was understood that only my white co-workers would interact with him.
The people I was close to would praise me by saying how well my parents raised me, and told me: "You're not like the rest of them. You're different."
I almost thought that they said these things as a compliment.
But I understood they were making an exception for me, in order to maintain their bigoted views of black and brown people. Because I defied the scope of their prejudice, I had to be unique.
This infuriated me.
I tried to take off-the-cuff comments from the elderly with a grain of salt. After all, they are from a different time period, when those sentiments were expected and accepted.
But it was when I heard my peers say, "You're not really black. You don't even act black," that I realized just how much the perceived singularity of the black identity transcends generations, age and gender.
This made me embrace my "blackness" more passionately, and I began to identify more as "black" than Ethiopian.
Author Haimy Assefa.
Author Haimy Assefa.
I wasn't quite Ethiopian enough for some of my Ethiopian friends who were convinced moving to the U.S. at such a young age caused me to lose some legitimacy. My vivid memories of Ethiopia and ability to speak my native language didn't cement my "Ethiopian-ness" to some.
And I did not live up to my American peers' expectations of being African-American either, even after becoming a naturalized citizen.
So there I was, the president of the Ethiopian Students Association, a member of the Black Student Alliance, and the founder of United Women of Color at Colorado State University.
I became quite the skilled juggler. But it was exhausting.
Tired of the balancing act, I began to care less and less about others' perceptions of me.
Eventually, I became proud of not fitting neatly into someone else's definition of being black or Ethiopian.
When I moved to New York, I felt at home, and met people with a similar understanding of black identity -- one that was varied and nuanced. They were more interested in having conversations about my experiences, and less interested in my color.
I no longer felt the weight of defending all of the different aspects of my identity to everyone.
But there is one thing about the black identity that remains constant: the complexities of the individual experiences that inform our identity.
Yes, I am black. I am Ethiopian. I am American.
I am also a journalist, a filmmaker, a sister, a daughter, a friend, an avid traveler and a woman who is constantly growing and evolving.
Stay in touch!
Don't miss out on the conversation we're having at CNN Living. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest stories and tell us what's influencing your life.
There is no doubt that my experiences, at times turbulent, have contributed to my racial identity. But my identity is never static. Instead, it remains fluid.
The reality is that my story is not singular simply because I was born abroad. It is distinctive in the way that each of us, as individuals, is distinct.
And so are our identities.
So when people say I am not "really black" or that Meb Keflezighi is not "really American," I'd invite them to run a mile in each of our shoes -- to see what we've gone through to become as uniquely American as anyon