Ethiopians win São Silvestre Road Race

Ethiopians were both the men's and women's first place finishers in this year's São Silvestre International Road Race, ending the Kenyans' reign. Ymer Ayalew, 27, was the female winner finishing in 50 minutes, 43 seconds. Dawit asu, 19, also from Ethiopia, stood on top of the podium on Wednesday having completed the course in 45 minutes, 4 seconds. A total of about 30,000 runners were competing in the 15-kilometer race.

Brazil's top finisher was Joziane Cardoso, 29, from Santa Catarina. She finished in 53 minutes, 18 seconds. Kenya's Nancy Kipron, the reigning winner in 2013, and a favorite for this year's event, finished in sixth place.

The second and fourth women's finishers are also from Ethiopia with Netsanet Kebede repeating her standing from last year, and Feyse Boru respectively. Two Kenyan runners finished in third and fifth place – Prisca Jeptoo and Delvine Meringor.

Among men, Kenyan favorites Stanley Koech, 29, and Mark Korir, 26, were the second and fourth finishers respectively. Fabiano Naasi, 29, from Tanzania, won the third place finishing in 45 minutes, 10 seconds. Brazil's Giovani dos Santos, 33, came in fifth place and secured a place on the podium. Last year, he had finished fourth.

Translated by Mayra Borges