Mestawut Fikir and Mulugeta Uma showcased Ethiopian excellence on the global stage as they clinched victory at the prestigious Schneider Electric Paris Marathon on Sunday (7).
Fikir, in her debut marathon, stunned spectators by crossing the finish line in a breathtaking time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 45 seconds, securing the women’s title. Her victory was hard-fought, as she edged out fellow Ethiopian Enatnesh Tirusew by a narrow three-second margin. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot, a seasoned track champion, made a remarkable return to marathoning, finishing third in 2:21:46 after a five-year hiatus.
On the men’s side, Uma led the Ethiopian charge, clocking an impressive time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 33 seconds to claim victory. He outpaced his closest competitor, Titus Kipruto of Kenya, by a commanding 15-second margin. Elisha Rotich, a former course record-holder, rounded out the podium with a third-place finish in 2:06:54.
Photo © AP Photo/Lewis Joly
The competition unfolded with gripping intensity, as Fikir and Tirusew engaged in a thrilling battle for supremacy in the women’s race. Despite a late surge from Cheruiyot, Fikir maintained her lead and emerged victorious in her maiden marathon outing.
In the men’s event, Uma’s strategic prowess shone through as he surged ahead in the closing kilometers, leaving his rivals trailing in his wake and securing a memorable win for Ethiopia.
The Schneider Electric Paris Marathon served as a platform for showcasing the talent and determination of elite athletes, underscoring Ethiopia’s prowess in long-distance running and setting the stage for future triumphs on the global athletics scene.
