Pune, India (UNI) – Ethiopian runners, popular for their long distance running, will be taking part along with the top runners from Kenya and Tanzania in the 23rd edition of the Vodafone Pune international marathon, to be flagged off here on December 7.

The 28-member contingent, comprising 25 men, will run in the full marathon while the three women members will take part in the half-marathon.

The most impressive performers among the contingent are Derese Gashu Hilmneh and Wellay Amare, who have broken the 2:10:00 barrier.

Hilmneh has a time record of 2:09:52 in Frankfurt this year. Whereas Amare had finished the race with in 2:09:58 in the Amesterdam last year.

The three women runners of the squad– Wosen Bekele Desta, Firehiwop Tesfaye Gebereyesus and Birhan Aregawi Gebremichael, are expected to provide stiff challenge to their rivals from Kenya and Tanzania.