emirates7 - H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, presented the winners of the 24th Dubai Marathon, the region's oldest marathon. Held with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the race took place on Umm Suqeim Street, Jumeirah, and featured over 17,000 male and female runners of various nationalities and ages, alongside elite international athletes.
The men’s and women’s races were dominated by Ethiopian runners. Bute Gemechu, an Ethiopian debutant, claimed victory in the men’s race with a time of 2:04.50, ahead of fellow debutant Berehanu Tsegu (2:05.14) and Shifera Tamru (2:05.28). In the women’s race, there was an Ethiopian sweep of the top three positions. Bedatu Hirpa won with a time of 2:18.27, overtaking Dera Dida, who finished second, five seconds behind. Tigist Girma took third with a time of 2:20.47.
The final presentation was attended by senior figures including Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, and Peter Connerton, Director of the Dubai Marathon.
Gemechu, who had only a few international races to his name, was the clear winner, finishing 24 seconds ahead of Tsegu. Hirpa, at 25, celebrated her biggest career win, despite Dera Dida clocking a personal best time of 2:18.32 but finishing second.
Both winners received $80,000, with the runners-up earning $40,000 each and the third-placed athletes getting $20,000.
Gemechu expressed his surprise at his victory, saying, "I didn’t know what to expect in my first marathon. But at 36 km, I knew I could win." He broke away from the leading pack after the 35 km mark, marking the fifth consecutive year that the men’s race in Dubai has been won by a debutant.
The marathon saw a total of 17,000 runners participating in the 10 km Road Race, the 4 km Fun Run, and the classic 42.195 km marathon.
In the 10 km race, Morocco’s Yassir Ech Chaachoui won the men’s event with a time of 28:20 minutes, while Ethiopia’s Gemene Tunku triumphed in the women’s event with a time of 31:03 minutes, narrowly defeating her compatriot Chaltu Diriba. Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan claimed third place with a time of 31:14 minutes.
Both champions were delighted with their performances. Gemechu explained, “I wanted to achieve a time of 2:06 hours. When I reached 17 km, I increased my pace and decided to give my best.” He plans to focus on the Boston Marathon in 2025.
Women’s champion Hirpa, who had previously competed in the Amsterdam Marathon, shared her excitement, saying, “I stayed behind Dera Dida for much of the race, but when I saw her struggling near the end, I took my chance and sprinted to the finish.” She too looks forward to the Boston Marathon and will dedicate her Dubai victory to her coach.
The 2025 Dubai Marathon was supported by various organizations including the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group, XIAOMI, JETOUR, Bisleri Water, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and SIRO One Za’abeel.
The men’s and women’s races were dominated by Ethiopian runners. Bute Gemechu, an Ethiopian debutant, claimed victory in the men’s race with a time of 2:04.50, ahead of fellow debutant Berehanu Tsegu (2:05.14) and Shifera Tamru (2:05.28). In the women’s race, there was an Ethiopian sweep of the top three positions. Bedatu Hirpa won with a time of 2:18.27, overtaking Dera Dida, who finished second, five seconds behind. Tigist Girma took third with a time of 2:20.47.
The final presentation was attended by senior figures including Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, and Peter Connerton, Director of the Dubai Marathon.
Gemechu, who had only a few international races to his name, was the clear winner, finishing 24 seconds ahead of Tsegu. Hirpa, at 25, celebrated her biggest career win, despite Dera Dida clocking a personal best time of 2:18.32 but finishing second.
Both winners received $80,000, with the runners-up earning $40,000 each and the third-placed athletes getting $20,000.
Gemechu expressed his surprise at his victory, saying, "I didn’t know what to expect in my first marathon. But at 36 km, I knew I could win." He broke away from the leading pack after the 35 km mark, marking the fifth consecutive year that the men’s race in Dubai has been won by a debutant.
The marathon saw a total of 17,000 runners participating in the 10 km Road Race, the 4 km Fun Run, and the classic 42.195 km marathon.
In the 10 km race, Morocco’s Yassir Ech Chaachoui won the men’s event with a time of 28:20 minutes, while Ethiopia’s Gemene Tunku triumphed in the women’s event with a time of 31:03 minutes, narrowly defeating her compatriot Chaltu Diriba. Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan claimed third place with a time of 31:14 minutes.
Both champions were delighted with their performances. Gemechu explained, “I wanted to achieve a time of 2:06 hours. When I reached 17 km, I increased my pace and decided to give my best.” He plans to focus on the Boston Marathon in 2025.
Women’s champion Hirpa, who had previously competed in the Amsterdam Marathon, shared her excitement, saying, “I stayed behind Dera Dida for much of the race, but when I saw her struggling near the end, I took my chance and sprinted to the finish.” She too looks forward to the Boston Marathon and will dedicate her Dubai victory to her coach.
The 2025 Dubai Marathon was supported by various organizations including the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group, XIAOMI, JETOUR, Bisleri Water, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and SIRO One Za’abeel.