Uma claims debut Paris victory in Ethiopian double, Fikir wins first-ever marathon

Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir completed an incredible Ethiopian double as they both raced to victory on their debuts at the 2024 Paris Marathon on Sunday.

Uma was victorious in only his fourth-ever marathon race to claim the men’s elite gold medal in a historic win.

The Ethiopian crossed the line in 2:05:33, recording a personal best time to fend off Kenya duo Titus Kipruto and 2021 champion Elisha Rotich.

Kipruto finished second to claim silver medal after clocking in at 2:05:48, while Rotich settled for bronze medal after concluding his race just over a minute later than his compatriot, finishing with a time of 2:06:54.

Despite Uma’s victory, Kenya dominated the rest of the top five as Bethwell Kipkemboi crossed the line fourth – just 12 seconds after Rotich – while Cosmas Muteti finished fifth.

In the women’s elite race, Fikir went one better than her male compatriot as she claimed victory on her first-ever marathon appearance.

Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot – a former world and Olympic 5,000m champion who won gold at the Games in Rio – was the hot favourite to top the podium on her return after failing to finish her last race at the 2020 London Marathon.

However, the 2018 London Marathon champion faced a strong Ethiopian field and was stunned by Fikir who claimed gold on her Paris and marathon debut.

The 24-year-old raced across the line quickest in a time of 2:20:45 to beat Cheruiyot and narrowly edge second place Enat Tirusew by three seconds.

Ethiopia’s Tirusew recorded a time of 2:20:48, while Cheruiyot’s effort of 02:21:47 – more than a minute slower than Fikir – was only good enough for a bronze medal.

The top three finished well clear of the rest of the field in the women’s race, as Valentina Mateiko finished fourth, three-and-a-half minutes behind Fikir.

There were more than four minutes between the winner and Rahma Tusa, who posted a time of 02:24:48 to wrap up the top five.