Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema wins Dubai Marathon in fastest debut ever

On Sunday morning two marathon debutants crushed the Dubai Marathon, with Tigist Ketema blasting to the finish in 2:16:07, winning the race in the fastest women’s debut in history. On the men’s side, 19-year-old Addisu Gobena won in 2:05:01.

Fastest marathon debut in history ‼️

🇪🇹's Tigist Ketema clocks a stunning 2:16:07 at the Dubai Marathon 🙌

Report 🔗 https://t.co/fLDNTbDo5g pic.twitter.com/wjtwQ1G5YH

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) January 7, 2024

The Dubai Marathon is renowned for its flat course, and Ketema bested the course record by over a minute. Ketema, 25, was previously an 800m specialist and had never competed at any distance farther than 10K. She was the bronze medallist in the 800 at the 2016 World Juniors, and now moves to eighth on the world’s all-time list.

Tigist Ketema wins the Dubai Marathon in 2:16:07, the fastest debut ever, which places her eighth on the world all-time list. https://t.co/tm66vOaaPC

— Fast Women (@fast_women) January 7, 2024

For Ketema, the victory was unexpected, considering her initial reservations about transitioning to the marathon: “I was quite apprehensive about the distance before my first marathon, but now, I wonder why,” she told press post-race with a smile. Eighteen months ago, Ketema’s time would have also scored her an Ethiopian record. She is now third on her country’s all-time list behind world record-holder Tigist Assefa and world champion Amane Beriso.

Fellow Ethiopians Ruti Aga and defending champion Dera Dida took second and third places with 2:18:09 and 2:19:29, respectively. Fourth-placed Melat Kejeta of Germany, in her first race after having a child, ran 2:21:47 and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Congratulations to our new men’s champion Addisu Gobena (2:05:01) who received his trophy from HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the @DubaiSC pic.twitter.com/kFexCCUTJw

— Dubai Marathon (@dubai_marathon) January 7, 2024

Teenager Addisu Gobena also claimed victory, clocking an impressive 2:05:01 in the men’s category. The 19-year-old Ethiopian junior outran compatriots Lemi Dumecha and Dejene Megersa, both debutants at the distance, secured second and third places in 2:05:20 and 2:05:42, respectively. Fifth-placed Samuel Fitwi, representing Germany, also ran a personal best and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in 2:06:27.

Originally a javelin thrower, Gobena shifted to running on the advice of his aunt just two years ago. He began training with her, and discovered his talent for distance running, telling press after the race: “I think I made the right decision.”