Tamirat Tola and Tigist Gezahagn Lead Ethiopian Dominance at Doha Marathon

Addis Ababa, January 16, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian runners dominated the 42 km Full Marathon at the 2026 Doha Marathon by Ooredoo, held today along Doha’s iconic Corniche. The race, a World Athletics Gold Label event, attracted elite long-distance athletes from around the globe and witnessed record-breaking performances.

In the men’s race, Olympic and world champion Tamirat Tola stormed to victory in 2:05:40, setting a new course record with an average pace of 2:58 per kilometer. Fellow Ethiopians Asefa Boki (2:05:55) and Boki Diriba (2:06:26) completed the podium, marking a full Ethiopian sweep of the top three positions.

Tola, reflecting on his win, said, “After 35 km I struggled a bit because of the windy conditions near the ocean side, but I managed to hold on to victory. The flatness of the course helped me maintain a strong rhythm despite the last seven kilometers.” He added that today’s victory will energize him as he prepares for upcoming marathon events this season.

On the women’s side, Tigist Gezahagn led an all-Ethiopian podium, crossing the finish line in 2:21:14, achieving a personal best in the process. She was followed by compatriots Tigist Girma (2:22:33) and Muluhabt Tsega (2:23:21). Gezahagn, who made history in 2021 as Ethiopia’s first-ever Paralympic gold medalist (T13 1500m), celebrated the win as a major milestone in her career.

The marathon route started and ended at Hotel Park, winding along the Doha Corniche and passing landmarks such as Souq Waqif and Msheireb. The Marathon Village, open in the days leading up to the race, served as a hub for participants, providing race kit collection, medical support, and entertainment for spectators.