- It was a good race for me to run in my first marathon.
The fast track suited me well and the spectators helped me a lot, says Yehualaw to the International Athletics Federation, World Athletics.
22-year-old Yehualaw won the race by almost nine minutes and also set an Ethiopian record.
There were expectations for Yehualaw after she set a world record in street running of 10 km in February with 29.14 and also recorded 1.03.51 in the half marathon (second of all time).
Male cruise control
She ran with male cruise control and passed 10 km in 32.39, the half marathon in 1.08.30, 30 km in 1.37.34 and 35 km in 1.53.55.
Then the cruise control had done its job.
The 2.17.23 can be compared to the former debutant record holder Paula Radcliffes 2.18.56 at her marathon debut in 2002.
Yehualaw is sixth through the ages.
Kenyan Brigid Kosgei holds the world record of 2.14.04 from 2019.