Ambesse Tolossa became the first Ethiopian to win the Honolulu Marathon in its 34 years.

Tolossa outlasted Kenyan Jimmy Muindi — winner of the past three races — to break a streak of 10 straight wins by a Kenyan.

Tolossa, who showed the blisters on his feet after the race, earned $43,000 — $40,000 for winning and another $3,000 for time incentives. The last non-Kenyan to win was Josiah Thungwane of South Africa in 1995.

Tolossa won the 26.2-mile event in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 42 seconds. Muindi was second in 2:14:39 and Kenyan Eric Wainana third in 2:16:08 in a race that included a quick start and shoving match late in the race between Tolossa and Muindi.

"I'm so happy and very satisfied," said Tolossa, 29, who won his third race of 2006. He also won the San Diego Rock 'n Roll in June and Tokyo International Marathon in February.

A total of 25,022 started the race at Ala Moana/Queen Street extension and 24,572 crossed the finish near Kapi'olani Park.

Tolossa made his Honolulu race debut yesterday. His strategy was to stick with Muindi, who was running his 13th.

"I knew (Muindi) had an experience for this course, so I was following his pace," Tolossa said through fellow Ethiopian Araya Haregot, who finished fourth in 2:16:59. "At the same time, he was very strong competitor."

Two of the top distance-running countries were represented with the top five winners from Kenya or Ethiopia. Eric Nzioki from Kenya was fifth in 2:17:10.

It was a day with the right conditions for breaking records — as the women's race proved — with temperatures in the low 70s and hardly any wind (out of the east at 14 mph).

Honolulu Marathon president Dr. Jim Barahal said yesterday's race was "tactically the most interesting race in terms of finishing."

It got off to a fast start, with a lead pack of 11 runners, including two pacesetters, attacking the first seven miles with a sub-5:00 mile pace. The group was whittled to six by the end of that stretch.

"The pace was OK, perfect for me," Muindi said.

At the 10-kilometer mark, three-time champion Mbarak Hussein dropped out of the race.

The group of six stayed together through 15 miles, then lost its second of two pacesetters. Around a turn on Hawai'i Kai Drive, just before the 16th mile, Haregot made a move, slightly picking up the pace. Muindi responded.

"Around 8 miles, I had sore legs," Muindi said. "The guys were waiting, wanting me to make a move. If the guys were in front, maybe I could follow from behind. Being the defending champion is very tough, because everyone is waiting for you."

The group remained intact until Muindi surged at the 30K mark, taking Tolossa and Haregot with him and leaving behind Wainana and Nzioki.

"It was too early (at the 30K)," said Tolossa, who averaged a 5:06-mile pace. "I realized we had tons of kilometers, so I knew he couldn't keep that kind of pace, so I had the confidence to catch him at my pace."

Muindi, who set the course record of 2:11:12 in 2004, historically makes a move at the 30-kilometer mark, but Barahal said he thought Muindi was surprised to have company after his kick.

"I think Jimmy was trying to pull away a few times, and when he wasn't able to, it turned the race into an interesting duel," Barahal said. "I think his first move he thought would break the race open. And he didn't get away, and that changed the tactics of the race after that. I think he was bothered by having someone right with him.

"It seemed to me he thought the move would put everybody away because it always has. And when it didn't some doubt crept in. Probably made him a little edgier out there."

Tolossa and Muindi ran alone from the 21st mile, with Tolossa letting his physical presence be known to Muindi. The two jostled, with elbows being thrown and Muindi pushing away Tolossa.

"He messed with me. Everyone saw it," Muindi said. "I told him to keep away, give me space.

"Then he went behind and he was picking my legs. He took a long time messing with me. It does affect somebody, because it affects your concentration."

Tolossa took the lead for good at the 23rd mile, then pushed the pace with a 4:55-mile up Diamond Head Road for the 24th, leaving Muindi behind.

"Regardless of my marathon experience, that was my final decision to drop him," Tolossa said. "That was my plan."

Muindi, the favorite going into the race after winning the past three and a record five times overall, said he was feeling "not perfect" since Tuesday, with coughing, a fever, and sore muscles.

"The way I was feeling I didn't want to go out, but I wanted to drop those guys," Muindi said. "I dropped three, but the pace was too high. Because I wasn't in perfect shape, it was very tough for me."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.