The Dubai Marathon is back! After the pandemic and the change in courses in 2023, the Dubai Marathon had great weather, impressive fields, and a strong TV streaming broadcast. Hosted by Tim Hutchings, Paula Radcliffe, and Pat Butcher, the global marathon audience was able to enjoy two debut marathoners surprise some of the most compelling Ethiopian marathoners in both the men’s and women’s elite fields.
The following video release was sent to RunBlogRun and the RunningNetwork on the Dubai Marathon from our friends at the Race News Service.
Two debut marathoners lead the way in Dubai, with Tigist Ketema winning in a CR on the women’s side and a 19-year-old junior, Addisu Gobena, winning the men’s elite marathon. This was the 23rd year of the Dubai Marathon.
Tigist Ketema clocked an unofficial world record debut at the Dubai Marathon, finishing in a fantastic time of 2:16:07. Running on Dubai’s renowned super flat course that mainly stretches on Jumeirah Beach Road, the 25-year-old Ethiopian became the eighth fastest woman in marathon history. She also smashed the Dubai course record, improving the mark by 61 seconds. In very good weather conditions, fellow Ethiopians Ruti Aga and defending champion Dera Dida took second and third places with 2:18:09 and 2:19:29 respectively. Fourth-placed German Melat Kejeta ran 2:21:47 and qualified for the Olympic Games.
There was a unique double debutants’ triumph since Addisu Gobena stormed to victory. The 19-year-old Ethiopian junior clocked 2:05:01 to secure the winner’s prize of 80,000 US Dollars. Fellow Ethiopians Lemi Dumecha and Dejene Megersa, another debutant, followed in second and third spots with 2:05:20 and 2:05:42. Fifth-placed German Samuel Fitwi smashed his personal best and qualified for the Olympic Games with 2:06:27.
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