Debela and Getnet headline elite fields at the 2025 Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon

Defending champion Dejene Debela and compatriot Tigst Getnet lead the elite fields for the 47th Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon, set for Sunday. With personal bests of 2:05:46 and 2:23:17, respectively, both Ethiopians will aim to add another prestigious victory to their résumés in the World Athletics Gold Label event.

More than 6,000 marathoners will take to the streets of Istanbul, crossing from Asia into Europe via the iconic Bosphorus Bridge, while the total participation across all distances reaches 42,000 runners. “We have a Gold Label race now in its 47th edition, and our goal is to further strengthen its role as a symbol of Istanbul’s sporting identity,” said Race Director Bilge Donuk, noting the event’s importance as the city bids for the 2036 Olympic Games.

Men’s race preview:

Ethiopia’s Dejene Debela will attempt to defend his title after running 2:11:40 in windy conditions last year. The 30-year-old, who boasts a 2:05:46 personal best from Chicago 2019, has returned to top form after battling injuries. “It was very windy last year, so this time I hope for a much faster time,” said Debela, who trains in Addis Ababa. Pacemakers are expected to target a halfway split between 63:30 and 63:45.

Among his toughest challengers will be Kenya’s Rhonzas Kilimo (PB 2:06:09) and rising Ethiopian star Sufaro Woliyi (PB 2:07:19), who impressed on his debut in Xiamen earlier this year. Another threat comes from Benard Kipkorir, who finished fourth in Istanbul last year and has since improved his PB to 2:08:12 in Chongqing.

However, the men’s race will miss Denis Chirchir (stress fracture) and Jake Robertson of New Zealand, both forced to withdraw due to injury.

Women’s race preview:

In the women’s field, training partners Tigst Getnet and Sofia Assefa headline a deep Ethiopian lineup. Coached by Assefa’s husband Kirubel Damtew, the duo enter the race as top favourites.

The 37-year-old Assefa, an Olympic silver medallist in the steeplechase (London 2012) and World Championships bronze medallist (2013), is seeking her first marathon victory. She debuted with 2:23:33 in Amsterdam (2023) and finished second in Copenhagen this year in 2:26:21, arriving in Istanbul in stronger form.

Getnet, 15 years her junior, ran her lifetime best of 2:23:17 in her debut at Dubai 2023 and will look to bounce back from a modest 2:30:54 in Copenhagen.

Other contenders include Yenenesh Tilahun Dinkesa (2:24:09), Letebrhan Gebreslasea (2:24:47), and Roman Gidey (2:25:22), who notably ran two fast marathons within two weeks in Guangzhou last year. Kenya’s Joan Kilimo, just 21, will aim to disrupt Ethiopian dominance after an impressive 2:25:32 debut in Milan this spring.

Defending champion Ruth Jebet (Bahrain) has withdrawn to compete at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh next week.

Elite Runners with Personal Bests:

MEN:

• Dejene Debela ETH 2:05:46
• Rhonzas Kilimo KEN 2:06:09
• Sufaro Woliyi ETH 2.07:19
• Benard Kipkorir KEN 2:08:12
• Isaac Too KEN 2:08:45
• Charles Mneria KEN 2:08:54
• Hillary Kipchumba KEN 2:09:53
• Yavuz Agrali TUR 2:10:41
• Mert Girmalegesse TUR 2:11:07
• Shadrack Koech KAZ 2:11:21
• Hüseyin Can TUR 2:11:56
• Aman Kadi ETH 2:12:46
• Dominick Bett KEN 2:13:13

WOMEN:

• Tigst Getnet ETH 2:23:17
• Sofia Assefa ETH 2:23:33
• Yenenesh Tilahun Dinkesa ETH 2:24:09
• Letebrhan Gebreslasea ETH 2:24:47
• Roman Gidey ETH 2:25:22
• Joan Kilimo KEN 2:25:32
• Adanech Mekonnen ETH 2:26:01
• Gete Dukale ETH 2:26:08
• Lucy Cheruiyot KEN 2:27:16
• Melkam Tesfahun ETH 2:27:28
• Meryem Erdogan TUR 2:27:57
• Bizuager Aderra ETH 2:28:27
• Rael Cherop KEN 2:29:15