Catherine Reline at a previous race/ FILEKenya’s Vitalis Kibiwott and Rebecca Tanui flew the nation’s flag high after delivering commanding performances to dominate both the men’s and women’s races at the Mersin Marathon in Turkey on Sunday.
Kibiwott stormed to the men’s title in a personal best time of 2:07:14, edging out compatriot Albert Kangogo, who clocked 2:07:26 in a thrilling Kenyan one-two finish.
Ethiopia’s Abraham Gebreslasie completed the podium, crossing the line in 2:08:29.
The victory marked a resounding turnaround for Kibiwott, who was coming off a disappointing outing at the Seoul Marathon on November 3, where he placed 17th after timing 2:20:29.
However, Kibiwott had kicked off his year on a high note by winning the Izmir Marathon on
April 21 in 2:11:08, ahead of Ethiopia’s Sendeku Amogne (2:13:42) and fellow Kenyan Silas Kiprotich (2:13:47).
In the women’s race in Mersin, Tanui rose to the occasion to claim the title in 2:25:35, holding off Ethiopia’s Genet Robi, who finished second in 2:26:07, while Peninah Jerop settled for third in 2:30:52.
Tanui’s only other race in the 2025 season came on April 6 at the Vienna City Marathon, where she finished second in 2:25:18 behind compatriot Betty Chepkemoi, who won in 2:24:14.
In other races on Sunday, Mike Kipkorir produced a strong run to place second at the Malaga
Marathon, clocking 2:08:12 behind Uganda’s Bushendich Mande, who claimed victory in 2:06:07.
The women’s race in Malaga also saw Dorine Murkomen secure a runner-up finish after stopping the clock at 2:27:08, behind Ethiopia’s Misgane Wolteji (2:24:43).
At the Shenzhen Nanshan Half Marathon in China, Simon Maiywa clocked 1:01:21 to finish third, behind Ethiopians Abduljelil Faris (1:01:13) and Muktar Edris (1:01:15).
Meanwhile, in Saturday’s Abu Dhabi Marathon, Catherine Reline successfully defended her crown in the women’s race, cutting the tape in an impressive 2:21:17.
Veteran runner Edna Kiplagat rolled back the years to secure second place in 2:25:07, with Ethiopia’s Burtukan Yifru Bekele finishing third in 2:25:25.
Reline had won last year’s edition of the marathon in her debut over the 42km distance, clocking 2:20:34 ahead of Eritrea’s Dolshi Tesfu (2:23:47) and compatriot Aurelia Kiptui (2:26:28).
In the men’s race on Saturday, Kenneth Kipkemoi placed third, crossing the finish line in 2:08:32 behind Turkey’s Kaan Kigen, who won in 2:07:27, and Ethiopia’s Asrar Abderehman, who timed 2:08:09.
At the Sharqiyah Half Marathon in Saudi Arabia, Nicholas Kipkorir reigned supreme, storming to victory in 59:28, with Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer finishing second in 59:35.
Fellow Kenyan James Kipkosgei completed the podium, clocking 1:00:18.
