Ethiopia’s Olympic Gold Medalist Tamirat Tola to Headline Doha Marathon 2026

Addis Ababa, December 7, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola is set to headline the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo 2026, strengthening the event’s profile as a premier destination for global distance running.

Tola, who claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a record-breaking time of 2:06:26, became the first Ethiopian man in 24 years to win the Olympic marathon. His late inclusion in the national team — following the withdrawal of a teammate due to injury — made his triumph one of the most remarkable storylines of the Games.

The reigning Olympic champion arrives in Doha with an illustrious resume. He earned bronze in the 10,000m at the Rio 2016 Olympics, marathon silver at the 2017 World Championships in London, and secured marathon gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene with a championship record of 2:05:36. In 2023, Tola also broke the course record to win the TCS New York City Marathon, and he holds a personal best of 2:03:39 from the 2021 Amsterdam Marathon.

Reflecting on his journey, Tola said competing in Qatar marks another milestone. “My journey has taught me to always be ready for the next challenge, and coming to Qatar as the Olympic champion is a powerful motivation. It’s an honour to join an event that inspires the next generation of runners, and I look forward to feeling the incredible energy of the community in Doha,” he stated.

Organizers say Tola’s presence adds star power to the 2026 edition. “We are proud to welcome Olympic champion Tamirat Tola to the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo 2026. His participation reflects our commitment to bringing global sporting icons to Qatar and inspiring communities through the power of sport,” said Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Ooredoo.