Mosinet Geremew and Roza Dereje Lead Fast Times in Dubai

By Adam Kopet

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon showed once again Friday why it is one of the fastest marathons on the planet with new course records and depth never seen before in the marathon (press release).

Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia came away the winner in the men's race, breaking the course record with his 2:04:00. It was a battle to the finish with six men finishing in 2:04:15 or better. Geremew finished two seconds ahead of second-place Leul Gebresilase, who was making his marathon debut (second-fastest debut marathon ever). Defending champion Tamirat Tola was third in 2:04:06.

The men's race went out on world record pace, but once the rabbits dropped out, the runners in the lead pack slowed, looking at each other with the knowledge that $200,000 went to the winner. The final 500 meters saw two lead changes with Geremew coming out on top.

The women's race also featured speed and depth. Ethiopia's Roza Dereje won in 2:19:17. She led four women under 2:20:00, including second-place Feyse Tadese in 2:19:30. Defending champion Worknesh Degefa finished fourth in 2:19:53, about two minutes faster than her winning time in 2017.

Dereje's win came about in opposite fashion to Geremew's. After a reasonably paced first half, Dereje pushed the pace over the final miles to pull away from the field.

The Dubai Marathon has become a favorite of Ethiopian marathoners. The top 10 men were all from Ethiopia. The top 10 finishers in the women's race also originally hailed from Ethiopia. Although, eighth-placer Desi Jisa now represents Bahrain.