Kenya’s Chebii falters as Ethiopians show unbowed dominance in Dubai Marathon
By Joel Sang, January 7, 2024
Kenya’s Douglas Chebii finished a distant seventh during the Dubai Marathon that was held on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
Addisu Gobena, Lemi Dumecha, and Dejane Megersa, all of Ethiopia, swept the podium and were followed in the fourth position by their compatriot Abdi Fufa.
The Ethiopian dominance was broken by Germany’s Samuel Fitwi, who was fifth, before Antenayeh Dagnachew, an Ethiopian, claimed the sixth spot as Chebii settled for the seventh spot.
Ethiopian women shines
In the women’s race, it was another good day in office for the Ethiopians, as they claimed the three top positions again.
Tigist Ketema, who was debuting over the classic distace, won in 2:16:07. Ketema smashed the course record by more than a minute, although the 25-year-old had previously been an 800m specialist and had never competed at any distance farther than 10km.
Ruti Aga and defending champion Dera Dida took second and third places with 2:18:09 and 2:19:29, respectively, while a German again broke their dominance with Melat Kejeta clocking 2:21:47 to claim the fourth position.
Men’s race results
1 Addisu Gobena (ETH) 2:05:01
2 Lemi Dumecha (ETH) 2:05:20
3 Dejane Megersa (ETH) 2:05:42
4 Abdi Fufa (ETH) 2:06:23
5 Samuel Fitwi (GER) 2:06:27
6 Antenayeh Dagnachew (ETH) 2:06:55
7 Douglas Chebii (KEN) 2:08:15
8 Tesfaye Lencho Anbesa (ETH) 2:08:25
9 Bayelign Teshager (ETH) 2:08:56
10 Abebaw Muniye (ETH) 2:09:09
Women’s results
1 Tigist Ketema (ETH) 2:16:07
2 Ruti Aga (ETH) 2:18:09
3 Dera Dida (ETH) 2:19:29
4 Melat Kejeta (GER) 2:21:47
5 Amid Fozya Jemal (ETH) 2:21:53
6 Shitaye Eshete (BRN) 2:21:55
7 Atelel Anmut (ETH) 2:22:23
8 Betelihem Afenigus (ETH) 2:25:57
9 Emebet Niguse (ETH) 2:27:15
10 Nurit Shimels (ETH) 2:28:28