Ethiopia’s Chala Ketema won the men’s race in the Abu Dhabi Marathon held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in the United Arab Emirates.

The Ethiopian timed 2:06:16 to beat Ibrahim Bouh and Kenyan Wilfred Kigen and smash the previous course record in the process. Chala managed to see off his rivals, who were his fierce rivals in the last 10 km.

Bouh, who finished second, clocked 2:06:33, with Kigen taking the third spot in 2:06:47.

Meanwhile, Amanang’ole won the women’s race after timing 2:20:34, a win that also guaranteed her Ksh6 million as prize money. Eritrea’s Dolshi Teklegergish came in second in the race after running for 2:23:47, while Aurelia Kiptui came third in 2:26:48.

“22-year-old Catherine Amanang’ole dominates the female elite race to take the 2024 ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon crown in a spectacular time of 2:20:34.

“The Half Marathon World Championships bronze medallist executes a perfect race to complete her first full marathon! This young superstar is certainly one to watch for the future!

“Congratulations, Catherine!” a statement by the organisers read.

This is a welcoming victory for Amanang’ole after her marathon debut in London ended badly after she failed to finish the race this year.

At the Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country Tour, she finished third in what was her first action of the season before a sixth-place finish at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon.

At the Prefontaine Classic, she finished seventh in the 10,000m and was third at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, an action that preceded the Abu Dhabi race.