Ethiopian runners Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir secured a dominant double victory at the Paris Marathon on Sunday. This win marks the first time Ethiopia has achieved this feat in the prestigious race in five years. The victories come as a welcome boost for Ethiopian athletics, raising hopes for success at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Uma Edges Out Kenyans to Claim Men’s Title
Unlike the upcoming Olympic marathon course, the Paris Marathon route presents unique challenges. Uma, however, navigated it skillfully, clocking a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 33 seconds to claim the top spot. Kenyan runners Titus Kipruto and Elisha Rotich were hot on his heels, finishing second and third respectively. Kipruto trailed Uma by a mere 15 seconds, while Rotich crossed the finish line over a minute behind the winner. Notably, Rotich entered the race as the favorite, having set the course record three years ago in 2021. However, Uma’s strategic running and impressive endurance proved too much to overcome.
Fikir Makes Marathon Debut a Memorable One
Fikir, a new name on the marathon scene, turned heads with a sensational performance in the women’s race. Competing in her very first marathon, she displayed nerves of steel and remarkable stamina. She finished with a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 45 seconds, edging out compatriot Enat Tirusew by a hair’s breadth – a mere three seconds separated the two Ethiopians at the finish line. Kenyan veteran Vivian Cheruiyot, a familiar face on the podium, rounded out the top three with a third-place finish.
The Ethiopian victories mark a significant comeback for the East African nation in the Paris Marathon. The last time Ethiopia achieved a double win was in 2019 when Abrha Milaw and Gelete Burka triumphed in the men’s and women’s races respectively. This dominant performance in Paris comes at a perfect time, just months before the highly anticipated Paris Olympics. The wins will undoubtedly boost the confidence of Ethiopian runners and raise expectations for them on the Olympic stage.
Building Momentum for the Olympics
The Paris Marathon victories serve as a springboard for Ethiopian athletes as they set their sights on the upcoming Olympic Games. The men’s marathon will be held on August 10th, followed by the women’s race on August 11th. Both Uma and Fikir have proven their ability to compete at the highest level, and their success in Paris has generated significant buzz. Ethiopia has a rich history of marathon excellence, and these recent wins suggest that the nation’s runners are well-positioned to challenge for gold medals in Paris.
Beyond Uma and Fikir, several other talented Ethiopian marathoners will be vying for Olympic glory. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how the Ethiopian team strategizes and who emerges as the frontrunner in the coming months. Competition within the Ethiopian ranks will likely be fierce, but it will also serve to push athletes to even greater heights.
A Bright Future for Ethiopian Athletics
The Ethiopian double victory in Paris is a cause for celebration for fans of athletics worldwide. It highlights the depth of talent within Ethiopian distance running and underscores the nation’s continued dominance in marathon competition. The wins also serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring runners not only in Ethiopia but around the globe. With a strong showing at the upcoming Olympics, Ethiopian athletics could solidify its position as a leading force in the world of distance running for years to come.
Source: ReutersÂ
