Ethiopian Tigist Ketema set the tone for #Athletics2024 as she made history in a stunning debut over the classic distance to win the Dubai Marathon in a record-breaking time of 2:16:07 on Sunday, 7 January, 2024
Running on Dubai’s renowned super flat course that mainly stretches on Jumeirah Beach Road spanning 42.19km, Ketema smashed the course record by more than a minute, to become the eight-fastest woman in marathon history to claim gold.
The 25-year-old is a former African U20 Championship gold medalist in the 800m, Ketema established herself as a long-distance running prospect by winning The Great Ethiopian Run 10km, in 2022. She is third on her country’s all-time list, behind world record holder Tigist Assefa and World Champion Amane Beriso.
Ethiopia made a clean sweep of the podium in Dubai as Ruti Aga raced to second place in a time of 2:18:09 and the defending champion Dera Dida crossed the finish line in 2:19:29 to claim third place.
Germany’s Melat Kejeta returned from maternity leave to finish in fourth place with a time of 2:21:47, with Ethiopian Amid Fozya Jemal closing off the top five in a time of 2:21:53.
Leading Elite Women’s Results at the Dubai Marathon on Sunday, 7 January, 2023
1. Tigist Ketema (Ethiopia) 2:16:07 (New Course Record)
2. Ruti Aga (Ethiopia) 2:18:09
3. Dera Dida (Ethiopia) 2:19:29
4. Melat Kejeta (Germany) 2:21:47
5. Amid Fozya Jemal (Ethiopia) 2:21:53
6. Shitaye Eshete (Bahrain) 2:21:55
7. Atelel Anmut (Ethiopia) 2:22:23
8. Betelihem Afenigus (Ethiopia) 2:25:57
9. Emebet Niguse (Ethiopia) 2:27:15
10. Nurit Shimels (Ethiopia) 2:28:28
Photo Caption: Debutant Tigist Ketema broke the Dubai Marathn course record to lead home a contingent of eight Ethiopians in the top 10 elite women’s finishers in the fast and flat UAE meet on Sunday, 7 January, 2024. Photo: (c) Dubai Marathon 2024
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