Ethiopia’s Hirpa Wins Paris Marathon Women’s Race in Thrilling Finish

PARIS, France — Ethiopia‘s Bedatu Hirpa triumphed in the women’s division of the Paris Marathon on Sunday, narrowly defeating compatriot Dera Dida by just four seconds. Hirpa completed the race in two hours, 20 minutes and 45 seconds, showcasing her stamina and speed in the final five kilometers.

This victory follows Hirpa’s close contest with Dida at the Dubai Marathon in January, where Hirpa also emerged victorious in a suspenseful finish. On Sunday, Dida kept pace with Hirpa until the final moments while her formidable performance reflected a strong rivalry between the two runners.

In the men’s division, Kenya‘s Benard Biwott dominated the race, finishing with an impressive time of two hours, five minutes and 25 seconds. Biwott pulled ahead significantly in the last ten kilometers, leaving Djibouti‘s Ibrahim Hassan to finish second, nearly a minute behind.

Sila Kiptoo from Kenya secured third place in the men’s race, crossing the finish line just eight seconds after Hassan. Angela Tanui, another Kenyan runner, achieved third place in the women’s division, completing the marathon 18 seconds after Dida.

“I am thrilled with how the race went,” said Hirpa in a post-race interview. “It was challenging, but I knew I had to push hard in the final segments to secure the win.”

Biwott expressed similar sentiments, stating, “I felt strong nearing the end and just kept the pace, knowing I had a good lead.” His victory adds to his impressive record in marathon racing, showcasing the depth of talent present in Kenya’s long-distance running community.

Both races featured a competitive field, with elite runners from various countries participating. The Paris Marathon continues to be a highlight on the marathon calendar, attracting international attention and participation.