In a spectacular showcase of Ethiopian prowess, Degitu Azimeraw led an Ethiopian podium sweep in the women’s race at the Zurich Marató Barcelona. Contesting her first marathon since giving birth, Azimeraw secured victory in 2:19:52, a mere eight seconds shy of the course record. Meanwhile, Tadesse Abraham rewrote history in the men’s category, breaking his own Swiss record to claim the title at this World Athletics Gold Label road race with an impressive time of 2:05:01.
The women’s race saw Azimeraw in a pack of five runners during the first half, including fellow Ethiopians Shuko Genemo, Meseret Dinke, Zinas Senbeta, and Kenya’s Aurelia Jerotich Kiptui. At the 10km mark, they covered the distance in 33:01. By the halfway point at 1:09:52, the Ethiopian quartet emerged as the sole leaders. Azimeraw gradually broke away, securing a seven-second lead over Dinke by the 30km mark (1:39:00). She maintained her lead, winning by almost two minutes in 2:19:52, with Genemo finishing second in 2:21:35 and Dinke securing third place in 2:22:58.
In the men’s race, Abraham navigated through a competitive 10-man pack, covering the first half in 1:02:43. The lead diminished to four men—Abraham, Mike Chematot, Collins Kipkirui Kipkorir, and Edmond Kipngetich. Still together at the 30km mark (1:28:55), Chematot and Kipngetich faded, leaving Abraham and Kipkorir in the lead. Abraham surged ahead in the closing kilometers, finishing in 2:05:01, while Kipkorir secured second place in 2:06:44. Kipngetich claimed the third spot with a time of 2:07:21.
Photo ©: mybestruns.com
At 41 years old, Abraham not only improved his Swiss record by nine seconds but also surpassed his lifetime best from the 2023 Berlin Marathon. This outstanding achievement solidified his seventh-place position on the European all-time list, marking Abraham’s first marathon victory since his success at the Zurich Marathon two years ago.
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In a heartfelt gesture, the Swiss veteran dedicated his Barcelona Marathon triumph to the late Kelvin Kiptum, a world record-holder who tragically lost his life in a car accident in February. Abraham shared, “I want to give this victory to the late great marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum. I give this victory to him.”
Reflecting on his past setbacks, Abraham disclosed, “I was here last year, and I was a bit disappointed because I got sick three days before the race and finished sixth. This year, I meticulously prepared and rectified all my previous mistakes, gearing up for a faster time.”
Considering the course dynamics, Abraham suggested that eliminating certain sharp corners could further enhance the marathon’s speed. Despite facing initial winds, he commended the course for its flatness and speed.
