MERSIN (14 December) — Kenya’s Vitalis Kibiwott claimed victory at the 7th International Mersin Marathon in Turkey on Sunday, clocking 2:07:14 to break both the Turkish Allcomers’ and course records. The World Athletics Elite Label race produced fast times along Mersin’s flat seaside route.
The 27-year-old improved his lifetime best from 2:10:12, shaving nearly a minute off the previous record of 2:08:13 set by fellow Kenyan Bethwell Kipkemboi last year. “The Mersin Marathon has a completely flat and very fast course,” Kibiwott told reporters after his win.
Kibiwott led a dominant Kenyan showing, as Albert Kangogo finished second in 2:07:26 — a personal best — while Eritrea’s Abraham Embaye placed third in 2:08:29.
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Among the pre-race favorites was 2015 world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea, who entered with a personal best of 2:05:34. His race ended early, however, after a hamstring issue forced him to withdraw around the 18-kilometer mark.
Women’s Races Won By Rebbeca Tanui
In the women’s division, Kenya’s Rebbeca Tanui crossed first in 2:25:35. Ethiopia’s Genet Robi followed in 2:26:07, a new personal best, and Peniah Jerop of Kenya completed the top three in 2:30:52.
The 7th edition of the race continues to attract a strong East African presence, with both men’s and women’s events decided by athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia.
2025 Mersin Marathon
Men’s Marathon Results
Final
- Vitalis Kibiwott (KEN) – 2:07:14
- Albert Kangogo (KEN) – 2:07:26
- Abraham Gebreslasie (ERI) – 2:08:29
- Samuel Naibei Kiplimo (KEN) – 2:08:59
- Abebaw Desalew (ETH) – 2:09:14
- Isaac Kibet (UGA) – 2:10:19
- Abraham Biwott (KEN) – 2:10:32
- James Kiplagat (KEN) – 2:10:36
- Lotory Woldegiorgis (ETH) – 2:11:25
- Mathew Kiplimo Kemboi (KEN) – 2:16:28
- Fredrick Kibii (KEN) – 2:17:07
- Tamiru Yitbarek (ETH) – 2:18:07
- Yavuz Ağralı (TUR) – 2:22:52
- Yunus Emre Akkuş (TUR) – 2:26:49
- Halil Yasin (TUR) – 2:27:23
- Konstantin Lobov (RUS) – 2:28:34
- Selim Seven (TUR) – 2:31:24
- Ivan Kuraev (RUS) – 2:31:54
- Aleksei Grigorev (RUS) – 2:34:00
Women’s Marathon Results
Final
- Rebbeca Sirwanei Tanui (KEN) – 2:25:35
- Genet Robi (ETH) – 2:26:07
- Peniah Jerop (KEN) – 2:30:52
- Millicent Kibet (KEN) – 2:31:05
- Letebrhan Haylay Gebreslasea (ETH) – 2:35:35
- Roselida Jepketer (BRN) – 2:35:52
- Meseret Hailu (ETH) – 2:39:57
- Anna Yusupova (AZE) – 2:43:12
- Tanya Dimitrova (BUL) – 2:57:54
- Damaris Chepkwony (KEN) – 3:01:07
