Abu Dhabi Marathon: Regasa becomes first Ethiopian to win men's race

Chala Ketema Regasa produced a strong finish to become the first Ethiopian to win the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon while Catherine Reline Amanang’ole kept Kenya’s flag flying high by taking the women’s prize on Saturday.

Regasa raced in the leading group all through the 42.2-kilometre distance before kicking for home to cross the line in 2hrs 6mins and 16secs, just missing out in bettering his personal best of 2:06.11.

His timing was the fourth best in six editions of the Abu Dhabi Marathon behind the record 2:04.40 set by Kenyan Reuban Kipyego set in 2019.

Ibrahim Bouh of Djibouti was 17 seconds behind Regasa in second and joining them on the podium was Kenyan Wilfred Kigen, who crossed the finishing line in 2:06.47 in third.

“Everything panned out well for me today. The course and the weather were fantastic, and of course the result was, like, over the moon for me,” Regasa said of his win.

“I’m also very proud and honoured to become the first from Ethiopia to win the Abu Dhabi Marathon. I’m going to take a small break and then continue with my training and bring more glory to my country.”

Kenya has produced a winner in either the men or women’s race in every edition of the Abu Dhabi Marathon and Amanang’ole kept that tradition going with her victory in the women’s race.

The Kenyan, who specialises in half marathons, clocked 2:20.34, the third best time of the Abu Dhabi Marathon. Dolshi Tesfu, the two-time Olympian for Eritrea and Kenya's Aurelia Kiptui took second and third spots.

“I’m thrilled at the result, it being my first marathon. I have been training for this but I wasn’t so sure that I would win,” Amanang’ole said.

“I found the flat course and cooler weather very good for the run. My pacemakers in the race did a good job to keep me going until the end. It may be my first marathon but I’m quite well versed with the run.

“I’m not sure of what my plans of switching from half marathons to full marathons and do both. I need to discuss with my manager and coach and make that decision.”

The races for both men and women panned out very similarly with the groups staying closely in the lead for about three-quarters of the distance and then the winners kicking off to win their races quite comfortably at the end.

The men’s race saw 11 in the leading group until the halfway mark. It reduced to five and before Kigen, Bouh and Regaza turned into a three-way battle between them.

Amanang’ole was out on her own passing the halfway stage and strolled on with her two pacemakers after Tesfu’s challenge weakened.

The event that included the marathon relay, 10km, 5km and 2.5km runs, and the 10km wheelchair race, drew a record of more than 33,000 participants.

Results:

Men’s elite:

1. Chala Ketema Regasa (ETH) 2:06.16

2. Ibrahim Bouh (DJI) 2:06.33

3. Wilfred Kigen (KEN) 2:06.47

Women’s elite:

1. Catherine Reline Amanang’ole (KEN) 2:20.34

2. Dolshi Tesfu (ERI) 2:23.47

3. Aurelia Kiptui (KEN) 2:26.28