Ethiopia's Tariku Jufar, Alemitu Abera Win 2012 Houston Marathon

Ethiopia made its presences known by sweeping top honors in both divisions and distances of the 2012 Houston Marathon.

Tariku Jufar led a trio of Ethiopian runners for the top three spots in the men’s marathon, topping the field with the time of 2:06.51.<?xml:namespace prefix = u1 />

His time broke the existing record of 2:07.04 set in 2011 by Bekana Daba.

His fellow Ethiopians; Debebe Tolossa and Demssew Tsega finished in second and third place with the times of 2:07:41 and 2:11.13.

In the women’s division, Alemitu Abera of Ethiopia won with a time of 2:23.14, breaking the existing record 2:23.53 set by Teyba Erkesso in 2010.

Australia’s Benita Willis finished in second place with the time of 2:28.24, with Ireland’s Ava Hutchison finishing third (2:35.33).

In the men's half marathon race, Feyisa Lilesa (Ethiopia) broke Ryan Hall’s (USA) record of 59:43 from 2007 with a time of 59:22 to take home the title.

Tilahun Regassa of Ethiopia and Scott Bauhs of the United States rounded out the top three, respectively with times of 1:01:28 and 1:01:30.

In the women’s half marathon, Ethiopia’s Belaynesh Oljira took home the top prize with a two second victory over Caroline Kilel of The Netherlands.

Oljira’s time of 1:08.26 also established a new course record; breaking the existing mark of 1:09.41 set by Shalane Flanagan of the USA in 2010.

8,249 runners started in the marathon while the half marathon had 9.409 starters.

Temperature at the start was 52 degrees F.