Kenya’s Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo and Ethiopia’s Bizuager Aderra emerged as the top winners of the 47th Istanbul Marathon on Sunday. Kilimo claimed first place in the men’s category with a time of 2 hours 10 minutes 12 seconds, finishing ahead of Ethiopian runners Dejene Debela and Sufaro Woliyi Kebato. In the women’s division, Aderra secured victory in 2 hours 26 minutes 19 seconds, followed by her compatriot Sofia Assefa Abebe and Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei Kilimo.
The dominance of Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes is unsurprising, given their long history of producing world‑class long‑distance runners. In recent years, Kenyan competitors have won both the men’s and women’s races at the Boston Marathon, while Ethiopian runners have swept the Berlin Marathon.
The Istanbul Marathon attracted more than 41,000 participants from 126 countries and is unique for spanning two continents. Runners start on the Asian side of the city, cross the Bosphorus Bridge, and finish in Europe, creating a significant logistical and athletic challenge. The event offers four categories, with the 42 km marathon being the most popular.
As a major international sporting event, the Istanbul Marathon’s two‑continent format adds to its appeal and makes victory a notable achievement. Its rich history and global participation cement its place on the international athletics calendar. The success of Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes underscores the strength of their training programs and the depth of talent in both nations. Looking ahead, the athletics world will watch how these countries continue to perform on the global stage, with upcoming races such as the Boston and Berlin Marathons likely to feature African athletes prominently once again.
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