Ethiopia's Bute Gemechu etched his name onto the illustrious list of debut marathoners who have triumphed in Dubai in recent years. He claimed victory in the men’s race with a world-leading time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 51 seconds. However, it was the dramatic finish in the women’s race, won by compatriot Bedatu Hirpa, that captivated the audience.
Following an engaging five-way battle up to the 25-kilometer mark, Dera Dida and her training partner Hirpa broke away, establishing a lead that seemed insurmountable. When Dida, a past champion and frequent podium finisher in Dubai, surged ahead with five kilometers remaining, she appeared poised to deliver on her pre-race prediction of repeating her 2023 victory. Yet, as she entered the lengthy finishing straight, signs of distress became evident—her head tilted back, and she visibly struggled for breath.
With less than a kilometer to go, Hirpa, trailing by ten seconds, sensed an opportunity. Unaware of her teammate's difficulties, she closed the gap in the rising heat of the Dubai morning, eventually overtaking Dida. Crossing the finish line exuberantly, Hirpa punched the air in triumph, clocking a personal-best time of 2:18:27, a significant improvement on her previous mark of 2:21:09 set in Amsterdam just three months prior.
In a jubilant display of celebration, Hirpa removed her shoes, tossed them into the air, and sprinted back down the finishing straight, draped in an Ethiopian flag. Meanwhile, a fatigued Dida collapsed upon finishing five seconds later. After recovering, she revealed that severe stomach cramps in the final kilometer had derailed her race.
Speaking afterward, Hirpa expressed her surprise: “I was so focused on my own race that I didn’t realize Dera was struggling. When the gap suddenly closed, I knew I could win. But I always believed I was going to win anyway.”
The celebrations continued at the press conference when Hirpa jokingly announced she would give her $80,000 prize money to her coach, Gemedu Dedefo. Dedefo, who was present, burst into laughter and politely declined the offer, prompting Hirpa to present her winner’s plaque to him instead. Dida, despite her disappointment, was consoled by a personal-best time of 2:18:32 and a $40,000 prize. Tigist Girma completed the Ethiopian sweep with a third-place finish in 2:20:47.
In the men’s race, Gemechu faced brief pressure after breaking away at the 35-kilometer mark. Shifera Tamru closed the gap to 20 meters with just two kilometers remaining but ultimately faded, allowing Berehanu Tsegu to finish second in 2:05:14, with Tamru settling for third in 2:05:28. Gemechu, the fifth consecutive Ethiopian debutant to win the Dubai Marathon, reflected: “Since I only decided to run the marathon two months ago, I didn’t know what to expect. But by 36 kilometers, I knew I was going to win.”
Veteran runner Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, nearing his 41st birthday and long past his 2014 world-record form of 2:02:57, placed 15th in 2:14:56. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s former world champion Lelisa Desisa was forced to drop out.
Later in the morning, the 10K race saw Ethiopia’s Gemene Tunku edge out compatriot Chaltu Diriba, both posting world-leading times of 31:03. British Olympian and Dubai resident Eilish McColgan finished third in 31:14. Morocco’s Yassir Ech Chaachoui won the men’s race in 28:20.
Adding an inspirational note, British Paralympic gold medalist Richard Whitehead completed the first of 20 marathons he plans to run this year as part of his “100 Marathon Challenge,” finishing in just over 2 hours, 47 minutes.