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Muluneh Biru Weyesa from Ethiopia runs past the finish line during "The Silk Road" Ningxia Yinchuan International Marathon in Yinchuan of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on May 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

YINCHUAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian runners took both the titles of the 2018 Yinchuan International Marathon on Sunday in Yinchuan, the capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

In the men's full marathon race, 23-year-old Muluneh Biru Weyesa seized the victory in 2 hours 21 minutes and 15 seconds, while his compatriot Melesu Birhano Assefa snatched the women's title in 2:44:48. Chinese female runner Yang Fengxia came the second.

This year's race attracted more than 23,000 athletes from countries and regions including China, South Korea, Ethiopia and Kenya.

The first Yinchuan International Marathon was held in May 2017 and attracted 20,000 runners from 41 countries and regions.