Rhonzas Kilimo and Bizuager Aderra Triumph at the 2025 Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon

Posted by: Watch Athletics

Sunday, 02 November 2025

Rhonzas Kilimo and Bizuager Aderra claimed spectacular victories at the 47th Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon under warm conditions, both celebrating the biggest wins of their careers. Each received $50,000 in prize money for their efforts. The 29-year-old Kenyan Kilimo took the men’s title in 2:10:12 after a thrilling uphill duel with defending champion Dejene Debela, who finished just 11 seconds behind in 2:10:23. Fellow Ethiopian Sufaro Woliyi completed the podium in 2:10:26. In the women’s race, 22-year-old Bizuager Aderra emerged as the surprise winner, clocking a personal best of 2:26:19 — just two seconds ahead of compatriot Sofia Assefa. Kenya’s Joan Kilimo, unrelated to the men’s champion, took third in 2:26:36 in what was the closest women’s finish in the event’s history.

VIEW FULL RESULTS FOR 2025 ISTANBUL MARATHON

Organizers reported around 6,000 marathon participants and a total of 42,000 runners across all race distances. The Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon remains the country’s premier road race and holds a World Athletics Gold Label status.

The Men’s Race

The men’s field maintained a steady rhythm through the early stages, hitting 10km in 30:41 and halfway in 1:04:41 within a 16-man pack supported by four pacemakers. Attempts to break Daniel Kibet’s 2:09:44 course record faded when the pace slowed dramatically near 25km (3:15 for that kilometer). With rising temperatures near 20°C, the battle for victory became purely tactical. Five runners—Rhonzas Kilimo, Dejene Debela, Sufaro Woliyi, Kenya’s Isaac Too, and Türkiye’s Hüseyin Can—entered the final steep uphill stretch less than a mile from the finish.

The home favorite Can was the first to lose contact but still clocked a personal best of 2:10:58 for fifth. Too and Woliyi soon fell back, leaving Kilimo and Debela to fight for the crown. With about a kilometer to go, Kilimo surged, maintaining momentum despite the climb. His 3:02 split for the 42nd kilometer sealed the victory in 2:10:12.

“I had no clue about the uphill section—it was a surprise,” said Kilimo, who trains in the hilly terrain around Iten, Kenya. “This is my biggest win so far. My next goal is to run a 2:03 on a fast course.” The father of three previously finished runner-up at the 2024 Seoul Marathon in 2:06:09.

The Women’s Race

The women’s contest was even more dramatic. Passing 10km in 33:38 and halfway in 1:11:22, a leading group of five formed behind two pacemakers: Ethiopians Bizuager Aderra, Tigst Getnet, Gete Dukale, Sofia Assefa, and Kenya’s Joan Kilimo. At 25km (1:24:45), they were on pace for sub-2:23, but the rising heat soon slowed the tempo.

Around 34km, Assefa briefly lost ground before clawing her way back, while Dukale dropped off. Four contenders remained at the 41km mark before Getnet and Kilimo faded. Assefa then edged ahead, but Aderra rallied once more, reclaiming the lead with 400m remaining. Sprinting toward Sultan Ahmet Park, she held off Assefa by two seconds to win in 2:26:19.

“This was the biggest win of my life — and a personal best,” said Aderra, who improved on her 2:28:27 mark from Rabat earlier this year. “My next goal is to break 2:20.” The 22-year-old has now completed seven marathons and continues her rapid rise among Ethiopia’s new generation of road runners.

Top Results Men:

1. Rhonzas Kilimo KEN 2:10:12

2. Dejene Debela ETH 2:10:23

3. Sufaro Woliyi ETH 2:10:26

4. Isaac Too KEN 2:10:45

5. Hüseyin Can TUR 2:10:58

6. Dickson Nyakundi KEN 2:12:15

7. Charles Mneria KEN 2:13:04

8. Dominik Bett KEN 2:17:26

Top Results Women:

1. Bizuager Aderra ETH 2:26:19

2. Sofia Assefa ETH 2:26:21