Xiamen got 2017 off to a flying start by hosting the Xiamen International Marathon on Jan 2. The race across the coastal city in Fujian province was the first IAAF Gold Label road race event of the new year.

The 15th edition of the annual marathon featured 27 top runners from countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Ukraine to participate.

Six Ethiopian athletes swept the medals podium, with reigning Boston Marathon champion Lemi Berhanu bagging the men's title with a time of two hours eight minutes and 27 seconds.

Mosinet Geremew, participating in a full marathon event for the first time, finished second in 2:10:20, 16 seconds ahead of third-placed Shura Kitata, who was the runner-up in 2016.

Ethiopian Lemi Berhanu, winner of the 2017 Xiamen International Marathon, celebrates on the medals podium alongside his compatriots Mosinet Geremew, the runner-up, and Shura Kitata, who finished in third place. [Photo by Lin Shanchun/Xinhua]

In the women's race, 24-year-old Workenesh Edesa lost her title to Meseret Mengistu Biru, who recorded a time of 2:25:58, just over six minutes shy of the course record of 2:19:52 set by world champion Mare Dibaba in 2015.

Winner of the women's race Meseret Mengistu Biru stands between runner-up Workenesh Edesa and bronze medal winner Tola Melkam Gizaw on the podium. [Photo by Lin Shanchun/Xinhua]

The champions are set to claim $40,000 in prize money each. They were content with their times and both admitted that the high temperature and humidity and the slopes on the return course made it a challenging race.