Hirpa wins the women’s race in 2:18:27 and Gemechu in the men’s in 2:04:51 as Elish McColgan returns to the field in 10km in 31:14.
Ethiopia’s Bute Gemechu added his name to a growing list of debutant marathoners who have won the men’s race in Dubai in recent years, claiming the title in a world-leading time of 2:04:51; but minutes later compatriot Bedatu Hirpa’s dramatic finish to victory in the women’s race grabbed the attention.
After an intriguing five-way tussle with 25km to go, Dera Dida and training partner Hirpa built a lead that was out of reach for the chasers. was going to make good on his promise earlier in the week to repeat his victory in 2023. But as soon as he entered the long finishing straight, it was clear that something’s wrong.” His head fell back and he struggled to breathe.
With one kilometer to go, Hirpa was still 10 seconds behind. Afterwards, he said he didn’t know his friend was suffering, but as the gap between them evaporated in the rising Dubai morning heat, Hirpa cruised to victory. punching the air energetically as he picked up the finish tape.His time of 2:18:27 was a significant improvement from three months ago in Amsterdam 2:21:09 from his previous best time of 2:21:09.
He was so excited that he tore off his shoes and sprinted to the finish line with an 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 realize Dera had problems. It wasn’t until the gap between us closed so quickly that I realized I could win.” But I always believed that I would win anyway.”
Hirpa continued the fun at his press conference later, when asked what he was going to do with the $80,000 prize, he said, “I’ll give it to my coach.”
As the man, Gemedu Dedefo, was standing by, he roared with laughter and politely declined, to which he reached out and took his winner’s plaque and ceremoniously 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.
Bute Gemechu (Colombo)
Gemechu was in doubt for only a few minutes after he left the leading men’s group with 35 kilometers to go. His partner Shifera Tamru closed the gap to 20 meters and ran only two of the 42.195 kilometers. But he was overtaken by another partner Berehanu Tsegu who finished second in 2:05:14 and Tamru third with a time of 2:05:28.
Becoming the fifth Ethiopian debutant to win the men’s race in Dubai in a row, Gemechu 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.”
Kenya’s Denis Kimeto, 10 days shy of his 41st birthday and over 10 minutes off his previous world record of 2:02:57 in 2014, acquitted himself well enough to finish 15th in 2.14.56, but former world champion Lelisa. Ethiopia’s Desisa is out.
Later in the morning, women’s 10km race winner Gemen Tunku edged Ethiopia’s Chaltu Diriba, both clocking a world-leading time of 31:03.
Elish McColgan of Dubai was third in 31:14, while Morocco’s Yasir Ekh Chaachu was the winner in 28:20.
British gold medalist Richard Whitehead completed the first of 20 marathons he wants to run this year to complete his “100 marathon challenge.” He ran just outside 2:47.
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