Dubai, UAE – The Dubai Marathon saw an Ethiopian double on Sunday, as Abdisa Tola and Dera Dida achieved victories in the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
Making his marathon debut, Tola claimed the men’s race in a time of 2:05:42, with the 22-year-old finishing nine seconds ahead of second-placed Deresa Geleta, who completed the race with a time of 2:05:51.
Haymanot Alew rounded off the top three with a time of 2:05:57. Gebretsadik Abraha of Ethiopia ran 2:06:08 for fourth, and countryman Abraraw Misganaw (2:06:39) rounded out the top five finishers.
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In the women’s race, Dida, the sister-in-law of Abdisa Tola as she is married to world champion Tamirat, ran a personal best time of 2:21:11 to secure the first marathon victory of her career.
Compatriots Ruti Aga (2:21:24) and Siranesh Yirga (2:21:59) followed her across the finish line as Ethiopian athletes claimed the top 10 places.
The Dubai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, was held in fine weather conditions and saw the Ethiopian athletes dominate the competition. The 26-year-old Dida’s victory was a rare family triumph in a major marathon.
Men’s Marathon – Top 10 Finishers:
- Abdisa Tola – ETH – 2:05:42
- Deresa Geleta – ETH – 2:05:51
- Haymanot Alew – ETH – 2:05:57
- Gebretsadik Abraha – ETH – 2:06:08
- Abraraw Misganaw – ETH – 2:06:39
- Kemal Husen – ETH – 2:08:09
- Dechasa Alemu – ETH – 2:08:48
- Alene Mekonen – ETH – 2:09:19
- Abdu Assen – ETH – 2:09:46
- Teressa Nyakora – ETH – 2:10:01
Women’s Marathon – Top 10 Finishers:
- Dera Dida – ETH – 2:21:11
- Ruti Aga – ETH – 2:21:24
- Siranesh Yirga – ETH – 2:21:59
- Fikrte Wereta – ETH – 2:22:50
- Tigist Getnet – ETH – 2:23:17
- Meseret Tolwak – ETH – 2:23:53
- Bedatu Hirpa – ETH – 2:24:48
- Bekelech Gudeta – ETH – 2:24:56
- Amente Sorome Negash – ETH – 2:26:40
- Waganesh Mekasha – ETH – 2:27:25
Information from the Dubai Marathon – complete results from World Athletics
