Dubai: Ethiopian runner Tigist Ketema broke the world record for the fastest marathon debut in Dubai on Sunday, shaving more than a minute off the course record.
Clocking 2:16:07, the 25-year-old became the eighth fastest woman in marathon history as she smashed the Dubai course record by 61 seconds to win the gold medal.
A former African Under-20 Championships gold medalist in the 800m, Ketema established himself as a long-distance running prospect by winning the Great Ethiopian Run 10km race in 2022.
Ethiopia took second and third place on the women’s podium in Dubai with Ruti Agha (2:18:09) and Dera Dida (2:19:29).
