Tigist Ketema conquers Dubai Marathon in debut as Chepkwony fails to finish

Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema made a stunning debut over the classic distance to win the Dubai Marathon in 2:16:07 on Sunday 7 January.

Compatriot Addisu Gobena, another marathon debutant and just 19 years of age, won the men’s race at the World Athletics Label road race in 2:05:01.

As for the only Kenyan in the women’s race; Betty Chepkwony, records from the marathon’s official portal indicate that she didn’t finish, and her tracked results progressed no further than at the 15km mark, by when she had clocked 55:28, and was projected to complete the flat course at 2:36:02.

As for a Kenyan in the men’s race, Douglas Chebii Kipsanai finished seventh in a time of 2:08:15.

Women’s race Recap

Running on Dubai’s renowned super flat course that mainly stretches on Jumeirah Beach Road, Ketema smashed the course record by more than a minute.

Dera Dida and Ruti Aga, who finished first and second here last year, were upstaged by 25-year-old Ketema, who had previously been known as an 800m and 1500m specialist and had never competed at any distance farther than 10km.

Ebenyo dominates for first win of the year

With Aga determined to avenge her close defeat last year, she took the early initiative, leading a five-woman lead pack through 10km in 32:18. When the field began to split up after halfway, reached in 1:08:07, Dida began to cede ground to Aga.

But as the race went on, Ketema’s ease began to look more and more ominous for her experienced rivals. She made a decisive move with 5km remaining, ultimately opening up a two-minute gap on Aga as she crossed the finish line in 2:16:07.

“I was quite afraid of the distance before I ran my first marathon but now, I wonder why,” said Ketema, who now moves to eighth on the world all-time list.

Aga finished second in 2:18:09, equaling the PB she set at the Dongying Marathon in October. Dida was third in 2:19:29, just five seconds shy of the PB she set at the Berlin Marathon in September.

Just 18 months ago, Ketema’s time would have also been an Ethiopian record, but she now sits third on her country’s all-time list behind world record-holder Tigist Assefa and world champion Amane Beriso – both training partners of Ketema.

©World Athletics.