Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The sun held out in Geneva long enough for the Geneva Marathon to be run, with 28-year-old Ethiopian Tsige Germa winning the men’s 26-kilometre race in 2:19.49.9 and Reulen Stijntje, 1967, Arzier, Vaud taking first place for the women, in 2:52.47.0. The bigger cloud over the event was the question of whether this would be the last marathon: the organizers have said they are resigning en masse, worn out from trouble finding sponsors as well sa lengthy negotiations with the city over closing streets for the race, according to Le Matin.

The low number of inscriptions, 742 in total, has added to the difficulty finding sponsors. Migros remained the main sponsor for 2009 and the ICRC (International Red Cross) was the charity of choice for the event.

Second place for the men’s race went to Eusébio Bochons, age 42, Le Vaud, in 2:39.24,9 and third place to 40-year-old Laurent Dufaux, Ollon, Vaud in 2:40.14,4. Dufaux is a former Swiss cycling champion.

Ingrid Le Tourneur, Gerlafingen, Switzerland, age 42, came in second in the women’s marathon,  3:05.11.2. Jane Fardell Jane, 29, from Dubbo, Australia ran third in 3:08.07.8.

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