Ketema faces fight for Kebede’s course record

Tigist Ketema’s marathon credentials face a tough examination this weekend as she bids for a third straight win in her fledgling marathon career.
 
The 26-year-old Ethiopian made a stunning entry to the 26.2-mile world in 2024.
 
She snatched the spotlight with the fastest ever debut, 2:16:07, in Dubai and then swept the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON title in 2:16:42 to establish herself as one of the most exciting young talents on the scene.
 
Ketema’s rise will be tested on Sunday in what could be a thrilling three-way Ethiopian tussle on Sunday morning.
 
Sutume Asefa Kebede will attempt to defend the title she won in Tokyo last year in 2:15:55 to take the course record away from Brigid Kosgei, who has withdrawn from this weekend’s race.
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The third Ethiopian sure to feature heavily is 2022 world champion and AbbottWMM series champion Gotytom Gebreslase.
 
Gebreslase enjoyed a dream marathon debut when she took the 2021 Berlin title, and followed that with a fantastic 2022, with third places in Tokyo and New York sandwiching that World Championship victory in Eugene.
 
She fared less well in Boston the following year, coming 10th, but got back on the World Championship podium with silver in Budapest.
 
The 30-year-old came third in Sydney last year and rounded her calendar out with a half marathon win in Saudi Arabia.
 
None of these women will ignore the threat posed by Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru on this course. Japan is home to the 30-year-old and she took the title in 2023 before finishing second behind Kebede last year.
 
She was due to lock horns with Ketema in Berlin last September until injury intervened, so this weekend provides an opportunity to see where the newcomer stands against Wanjiru’s experience.
 
With Ruth Chepng’eitch’s astonishing world record of 2:09:56 in Chicago last October, there is no doubt we are in a new era for women’s marathon running, but
 
Race director Yasuhiro Oshima refused to rule out something extra special from the field her has assembled for 2025, and signaled his intent to set the race up for a course record, at least:
 
“I expect the top pacemaker will aim for a time of 2:15:00, followed by paces of 2:17:00 to 2:18:00. The third pack will likely aim for a pace of 2:20:00 or less, with the Japanese athletes setting their sights on the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo 2025.
 
“If any runners are shooting for a world record, we would be willing to set an ultra-fast pace in the two hour and nine-minute range.”

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