Ethiopia’s Melaku Belachew and Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete emerged victorious at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, a World Athletics Label Gold road race, on Sunday.

Eshete, a three-time Asian Championships 10,000m gold medallist, dominated the women’s race with a commanding performance, finishing in 2:27:03 – nearly two minutes clear of her nearest rival.

The 35-year-old, who placed fifth in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, controlled the race for the most part to start the season on a winning note for the first time since 2019. Ethiopia’s Nigsti Haftu claimed second place in 2:29:13, while Kenya’s Linet Chepkwemoi Masai rounded out the podium in 2:29:23. Ethiopian Adilo Saeda Kedir finished fourth, clocking exactly 2:30:00.

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In the men’s race, Belachew led an impressive field that saw eight runners finish under 2:11:00. The 35-year-old Ethiopian crossed the line in 2:09:39, holding off a strong challenge from four Kenyan competitors.

Kenya’s Silas Too finished runner-up in 2:09:56, with compatriot Francis Kipkorir Langat taking third in 2:09:59. Douglass Kimeli Kiprugut (2:10:17) and Edwin Koech (2:10:24) completed a Kenyan sweep of positions two through five.

North Korea’s Il Ryong Han (2:10:39), Kenya’s Kipkemoi Kiprono (2:10:53) and Ethiopia’s Gemechu Yadesa (2:10:54) also finished inside 2:11:00 in what proved to be a highly competitive race.

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Men’s Marathon

1. Melaku Belachew, Ethiopia, 2:09:39
2. Silas Too, Kenya, 2:09:56
3. Francis Kipkorir Langat, Kenya, 2:09:59
4. Douglass Kimeli Kiprugut, Kenya, 2:10:17
5. Edwin Koech, Kenya, 2:10:24
6. Il Ryong Han, North Korea, 2:10:39
7. Kipkemoi Kiprono, Kenya, 2:10:53
8. Gemechu Yadesa, Ethiopia, 2:10:54
9. Mekuant Ayenew, Ethiopia, 2:11:07
10. Anderson Seroi, Kenya, 2:11:46
11. Bethwell Kipkemboi, Kenya, 2:12:07
12. Reuben Kerio, Kenya, 2:12:31
13. Yitayal Atnafu Zerihun, Ethiopia, 2:13:06
14. Benard Kiplangat Kibilo, Kenya, 2:14:01
15. Kennedy Njogu, Kenya, 2:14:55
16. Yuki Kawauchi, Japan, 2:19:52
17. Joseph Mwangi, Kenya, 2:20:22
18. Abdi Kebede, Ethiopia, 2:20:23
19. Jong Ho, North Korea, 2:20:33
20. Benard Kibet Yegon, Kenya, 2:22:10

Women’s Marathon

1. Shitaye Eshete, Bahrain, 2:27:03
2. Nigsti Haftu, Ethiopia, 2:29:13
3. Linet Chepkwemoi Masai, Kenya, 2:29:23
4. Adilo Saeda Kedir, Ethiopia, 2:30:00
5. Kwang-Ok Ri, North Korea, 2:30:44
6. Caroline Cheptanui Kilel, Kenya, 2:31:08
7. Melkitu Workneh, Ethiopia, 2:32:29
8. Emily Chebet, Kenya, 2:32:30
9. Jon Su Gyong, North Korea, 2:35:33
10. Pak Sol Gyong, North Korea, 2:35:37
11. Vivian Jerotich, Kenya, 2:35:54
12. Betty Chepkwony, Kenya, 2:39:02
13. Ying Chu Lo, Hong Kong, 2:41:29
14. Shiu Yan Leanne Szeto, Hong Kong, 2:43:23
15. Cheuk Ning Wong, Hong Kong, 2:46:38
16. Choe Il Gyong, North Korea, 2:56:48
17. Ching Yee Fan, Hong Kong, 3:01:07
18. Tsz Yu Kwong, Hong Kong, 3:02:31
19. Ki Chun Wong, Hong Kong, 3:04:42