Millions Geoffrey Kamworor, Jackline Cherono made after dominant Rotterdam Marathon wins
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 15.04.25. | 16:00
In addition to their winner’s cheques, the runners-up and third-place finishers in both races also took home handsome rewards
Geoffrey Kamworor and Jackline Cherono reigned supreme at the 2025 NN Rotterdam Marathon held on Sunday, 13 April, each pocketing $10,000 (approximately Ksh1.295 million) after powering to victory on the famed fast and flat Dutch course.
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Kamworor delivered a stunning performance to win the men’s title in 2:04:33, shedding just 10 seconds off his personal best.
Though he fell short of Bashir Abdi’s 2021 course record of 2:03:36, Kamworor’s strong finish in the final stretch was enough to outpace a competitive Ethiopian field and take the top prize.
In the women’s race, Jackline Cherono produced a breakout run, clocking 2:21:15 to obliterate her previous best time and clinch the women’s crown.
At one point, Cherono looked on track to break the course record set by Tiki Gelana (2:18:58), but despite fading slightly in the closing kilometers, her victory was never in doubt.
Cherono’s time shaved nearly 30 seconds off her former personal best of 2:21:40, set in Hamburg last year, and adds to her growing list of achievements following her win at the 2023 Kosice Peace Marathon.
In addition to their winner’s cheques of $10,000 each, the runners-up and third-place finishers in both races also took home handsome rewards.
Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa, who finished second in the men’s race in 2:05:07, earned $4,000 (Ksh 518,000), while his compatriot Chimdessa Debele claimed $3,000 (Ksh 389,000) for a third place finish with a time of 2:05:26.
The women’s race saw Ethiopia sweep the remaining podium places too, with Aminet Ahmed clocking 2:22:14 for second place and Azmera Gebru just two seconds behind in 2:22:16. They walked away with $4,000 and $3,000, respectively.
While neither Kamworor nor Cherono secured the $3,000 bonus offered for breaking the sub-60-minute (men) and sub-70-minute (women) marks in the half-marathon split, their five-figure paydays from the main race earnings remain a significant takeaway.
For Kamworor, the Rotterdam victory marks a return to form after battling injuries. It also served as a strong message ahead of future marathon assignments, including possible consideration for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
