Dubai, UAE, January 12, 2025, 08.00 grams
Ethiopia’s Bute Gemechu added his name to a growing list of debutant marathoners who won the men’s race in Dubai recently, claiming the title in a world-leading 2hr 04min 51sec. However, it was a dramatic finish in the women’s race, won a few minutes later by compatriot Bedatu Hirpa, that caught the eye.
After an intriguing five-way battle until 25k, Dera Dida and training partner Hirpa made progress to be unassailable for the pursers. his promise earlier in the week to repeat his win in 2023. But as soon as he got to the long and straight At the curb, something was clearly wrong. His head was back and he was struggling to breathe.
At that stage, with less than a kilometer to run, Hirpa was still ten seconds behind. He then said he didn’t know his friend was suffering. Yet as the gap between them evaporated in the rising heat of the Dubai morning, Hirpa cruised to victory as he took the finishing tape, his time of 2.18.27 vastly improved the previous best was 2.21.09, which he set in Amsterdam three months ago.
He was so excited that he tore off his shoes, tossed them in the air, and sprinted to the finish line with the Ethiopian flag wrapped around his neck. Meanwhile, a sad Dida was out after five seconds behind. When he finally caught his breath, he explained, that he had severe stomach cramps in the last kilometer and was unable to shake them off.
After commiserating with his colleague, Hirpa said: “I was so focused on my race that I didn’t understand that Dera had problems. it was only when the gap between us closed so quickly that I realized I could win. But I always believed I was going to win anyway.”
Hirpa continued the fun at his press conference later, when asked what he would do with the $80,000 prize money, he said, “I’ll give it to my coach.” As Gemedu Dedefo, the man, stood by, he roared with laughter and politely declined, whereupon he reached out and grabbed his winner’s plaque and solemnly presented it to him. Dida, by the way, recovered quickly and certainly took consolation in a personal best time of 2.18.32 and a prize of $40,000.Another colleague, Tigist Girma, was third in 2.20.47.
Gemechu was in doubt for just a few minutes after he broke away from the leading men’s group with 35 kilometers to go. His partner Shifera Tamru cut the gap to 20 meters with 41.195 kilometers to run. But he was overtaken by another partner Berehanu Tsegu, who took second place on 2.05.14, and Tamru third in 2.05.28.Becoming the fifth Ethiopian debutant to win the men’s race in Dubai, Gamechu said: “Since I only decided to run the marathon two months ago, I didn’t really know what to expect, but when I got to the 36 kilometer mark, I knew. I was going to win.
Dennis Kimeto from Kenya, who is ten days shy of his 41st birthdaySt birthday and bettered her previous world record of 2.02.57 (2014) by more than ten minutes, finishing 15th in 2.14.56.However, former world champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia was eliminated.
Later in the morning, women’s winner Gemen Tunku beat Ethiopia’s Chaltu Diriba in a world-leading time of 31 minutes 03 seconds, with some Dubai residents including Britain’s Elish McColgan third in 31.14 Representative Yasir Ekh Chaachu.
British gold medalist and Paralympian Richard Whitehead completed the first of 20 marathons he wants to run this year to complete his “100 marathon challenge.” He ran in just 2 hours and 47 minutes.
RESULTS:
MALE (All Ethiopia)
1 Bute GEMECHU 2.04.51 $80,000
2 Berehanu TSEGU 2.05.14 $40,000
3 Shifera TAMRU
4 Desalegn GREAT 2.06.52 $10,000
5 Dejene HAILU 2.07.03 $5,000
6 Getachev MASRESHA 2.07.04 $4000
7 Tadele DEMISSIE 2.08.21 $3,000
8 Boki WELL 2.09.06 $2500
9 Embay GOITOM 09/2/08 $2000
10 Yismaw ATHENS 2.09.32 $1,500
WOMEN (All Ethiopia)
1 Purchased HIRPA 2.18.27 $80,000
2 Seats DIDA 2.18.32 $40,000
3 Tigist GIRMA 2.20.47 $20,000
4 Zeinebe YIMER 2.21.12 $10,000
5 Tap WELDE 2.21.54 $5000
6 TAHIR Quftu 2.22.53 $4,000
7 Gadise MULU 2.23.19 $3000
8 Diamond Kebebe
9 Kebebush YISMA 2.24.04 $2,000
10 Space OWN 2.24.38 $1500
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