Kunming (China), Dec 1 (IANS) Ethiopian runners swept the titles in both men's and women's events at the 2019 SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Kunming International Marathon in southwest China's Yunnan province on Sunday.

Dereje Debele Tulu from Ethiopia won the men's full marathon race in 2:13:18, while his compatriot Mulu Seboka Seyfu triumphed in the women's category in 2:32:54, both smashing the competition's records.

Ethiopian athletes rounded up the top three in the men's category, reports Xinhua news agency.

About 20,000 runners from 35 countries and regions took part in the event, which featured marathon, half-marathon and family run, according to the organising committee.

The annual SCO Kunming International Marathon was inaugurated in 2016 by the SCO Secretariat and the Yunnan provincial government. The competition was awarded a Road Race Bronze Label by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in July.

--IANS kk/rt