Tanui gets Doha Marathon right on second attempt
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 17.01.25. | 15:00
He bossed a field that had, among others, 2020 London Marathon champion and 2022 New York Marathon silver medalist Shura Kitata
Kenya’s Ezra Kipketer Tanui shaved off more than seven minutes from his personal best (PB) to win this year’s Doha Marathon, staged on Friday 17 January, in 2:07:28.
Tanui, who made his debut in the classic distance, in the Qatari race, last year, placing fourth in 02:14:50, returned for a tactical race that saw him unleash a killer finishing kick for a confident victory.
Kenyan runner Ezra Tanui finishes first in 42km race at Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2025pic.twitter.com/FhfIcafc6F
— Alkass English (@alkassenglish) January 17, 2025
“I am happy for this win. I was here last year and the weather was hot and I could only manage fourth. Today the conditions were better and my knowledge of the course helped me to execute my race,” the 27-year-old told the media after his victory.
Fresh from a fifth-place finish at the Al Sharqiyah International Half Marathon on 14 December 2024, Tanui stayed with a leading pack that still had 10 runners at the 30km mark, the group crossing the 35km mark in 1:46:25.
As the race began to wind up, the leading pack split to three after Dinkalem Ayele made the strike for home just after the 38km mark, Tanui and Balew Yihunle going with him.
Moments later it was down to Tanui and Yihunle, the former the face of calmness as the Ethiopian could be seen grimacing.
The Kenyan tracked his competitor stride for stride, coming on his shoulder in the final kilometer before opening up a seven-meter with a final move for victory, one he celebrated with a salute moments before cutting the tape.
“I was very confident in my training and in those final minutes, I was not afraid of the challenge. I was feeling good. Credit to my coaches for the kind of preparations they gave me ahead of the race,” he added.
Yihunle settled for second place in 2:07:36 while compatriot Mitku Tafa pipped Ayele (2:07:53) for third in 2:07:40. Nicholas Kirwa capped the top five list in 2:08:03.
Meanwhile, Ethlemahu Sintayehu clocked 2:21:43 to win the women’s race, leading Muluhabt Tsega (2:22:21) and Zinah Senbeta (2:22:34) to an Ethiopian sweep.
E Ethiopian runner Ethlemahu Sintayehu finishes first in 42km race at Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2025pic.twitter.com/4D5cdjFuCo
— Alkass English (@alkassenglish) January 17, 2025
