Ethiopians Gemechu, Hirpa win men's, women's Dubai Marathons

Ethiopian debutant Bute Gemechu was the surprise winner of the Dubai Marathon, one of the world’s major races at the classic distance, while Bedatu Hirpa overtook fellow-Ethiopian Dera Dida on the finishing straight to win the women's race.

23 year-old newcomer, Gemechu, who has only competed in a handful of international races so far, clocked a world leading time of 2:04:50. Berehanu Tsegu, another debutant, was runner-up in 2:05:14, while Shifera Tamru finished third with 2:05:28 and completed an all-Ethiopian podium.

In a dramatic women’s finish Bedatu Hirpa overtook fellow-Ethiopian Dera Dida on the finishing straight and won in a world lead of 2:18:27. While the 25 year-old celebrated her biggest career win and a huge personal best Dida looked devastated when she crossed the line four seconds behind in 2:18:31. However Dida, the wife of Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola, still clocked a personal best. Ethiopian Tigist Girma was third in 2:20:47.

Both winners will be rewarded with an $80,000 winner’s prize. The 24th edition of the Dubai Marathon attracted 17,000 entries including races at shorter distances.

“Because it was my first marathon I did not know what to expect. But at 36k I realised I could win,“ said Gemechu, who broke away from the leading group shortly after the 35k mark. It was the fifth time in a row the Dubai’s men’s race was taken by a debutant.

The 41 year-old former world-record holder Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, who ran 2:02:57 in Berlin in 2014, was 15th with 2:14:56 while Ethiopia’s former World Champion Lelisa Desisa did not finish.

Dida looked to have clinched victory after pulling away from training partner Hirpa with seven kilometres to go. But at the 40k mark, Dida – Dubai Marathon winner in 2023 – was ten seconds ahead before suffering stomach cramps and was overtaken by Hirpa with the finish line in sight.

“I was concentrating on my own race and did not realise that Dera had problems. But I always thought I could win,“ said Hirpa.

In the 10k race staged parallel to the marathon women’s winner Gemene Tunku ran a strong world leading time of 31:03. She just edged out fellow-Ethiopian Chaltu Diriba who was given the same time. Eilish McColgan of Great Britain took third with 31:14. Yassir Ech Chaachoui of Morocco was the men’s winner with 28:20.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, crowned the winners.

The final presentation was also attended by Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, Omar Al Falasi, General Supervisor of the Secretary’s Service, Ahmed Al Kamali, General Coordinator of the Dubai Marathon, Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council and Peter Connerton, Director of the Dubai Marathon.