Ethiopian double as Lemi Berhanu and Meseret Mengistu win in China, while GB’s Reece Prescod runs 6.67 60m and further athletes are announced for Karlsruhe

Ethiopia dominant at Xiamen International Marathon

Boston Marathon winner Lemi Berhanu scored another high profile win with victory in the Xiamen International Marathon on January 2. He clocked 2:08:27 ahead of Ethiopian teammates Mosinet Geremew (2:10:20) and Shura Kitata (2:10:36).

“I am happy to win. The course is very hard with a lot of rises and falls. And the weather is very hot,” said the winner.

Meseret Mengistu led another Ethiopian clean sweep in the women’s race, winning in 2:25:58 ahead of reigning champion Workenesh Edesa (2:26:27) and Melkam Gizaw (2:26:47). Fourth-placer Guteni Shone also clocked a sub-2:30 time (2:29:58).

Berhanu will defend his Boston Marathon title this April while Mengistu will race in the London Marathon.

It was the first top international marathon of the year and already saw sub-2:10 and sub-2:30 times. Report with help from the IAAF.

Prescod 6.67 season debut

At the Metaswitch Games at Lee Valley on January 2, 20-year-old Reece Prescod clocked 6.67 in his 60m indoor season debut and Khai Riley-Laborde won the 60m hurdles in 7.80.

Gregson and Mitchell race in 2017

Nitro Athletics Team Australia squad members Morgan Mitchell and Ryan Gregson have raced into 2017 in winning form with both taking victories at the Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals.

Rio Olympic 1500m finalist Gregson became the first man in 50 years to win the Burnie Mile from scratch (4:03.97), with Harold Davies the last to achieve the feat in 1967.

Meanwhile Rio 400m semi-finalist Mitchell followed in the footsteps of her mentor Cathy Freeman, producing three podium placings, including wins over her favoured 400m at the Devonport Carnival, a sprint victory over 120m at Latrobe before a second place in the Burnie Gift 120m final.

Kallur and Pearson set for Karlsruhe

World record-holder Susanna Kallur and former world and Olympic 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson are confirmed for the 60m hurdles in Karlsruhe on February 4, informs organisers.

They will face the already confirmed reigning European champion Cindy Roleder.

The meet is part of the IAAF World Indoor Tour.

Gracia mission ends

European Athletics vice president Jean Gracia ended his work with IAAF. In the transition period he fulfilled the duties of the General Secretary.

“My mission within IAAF is finished! It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve this fantastic organisation during this difficult year,” Gracia said via Twitter.

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