Reigning Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola marked his return to winning ways on Friday (January 16) with victory in the Doha Marathon for Ooredoo, leading Ethiopia’s top five finishers in the men’s race.
Competing along Doha’s Corniche at the World Athletics Gold Label event, Tola clocked 2:05:40 to set a new course record, his first victory since his memorable Olympic victory in Paris 2024, where he became Ethiopia’s first gold medalist in the men’s marathon since 2000.
The Ethiopian controlled most of the race in Qatar despite windy conditions along the coastal sections in the latter stages.
“After 35km I struggled a bit with the wind near the ocean,” Tola said. “But the flat course helped me keep my rhythm and I was able to hold on.”
He was followed by compatriots Asefa Boki who finished second in 2:05:55 and Boki Diriba third in 2:06:2.
The women’s marathon was also firmly Ethiopia’s with Tigist Gezahagn running a superb run to win in 2:21:14, a personal best. Gezahagn, who made history as Ethiopia’s first Paralympic gold medalist at the Tokyo Games, led all the final stages to secure a convincing victory.
Behind him, Tigist Girma finished second in 2:22:33 and Muluhabt Tsega completed the all-Ethiopian podium in 2:23:2.
The flat, fast course started and finished at Hotel Park, taking runners past several Doha landmarks including Souq Waqif and Msheireb, while favorable early conditions helped set the stage for fast times before the winds picked up later in the race.
