The 47th Istanbul Marathon delivered a thrilling display of long-distance running supremacy on Sunday.
Elite athletes from East Africa dominated the podium, with Kenya’s Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo and Ethiopia’s Bizuager Aderra securing the top overall honors in the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
Men’s Race: Kenya Sets the Pace
Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo was the undisputed winner in the men’s division. He crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 12 seconds. This performance put him ahead of a strong contingency of rivals.
The men’s podium was completely owned by East African distance runners:
- First Place: Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo (Kenya)
- Second Place: Dejene Debela (Ethiopia)
- Third Place: Sufaro Woliyi Kebato (Ethiopia)
Women’s Division: Ethiopia Leads the Charge
Runners from Ethiopia and Kenya also claimed every single top spot in the women’s event, showcasing the region’s depth of talent.
Ethiopia’s Bizuager Aderra secured the first-place finish with a winning time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 19 seconds.
She was followed immediately by her compatriot, Sofia Assefa Abebe. Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei Kilimo claimed the third-place position, rounding out the top three.
A Global Event Spanning Two Worlds
The Istanbul Marathon is unique on the global stage. It holds the distinction of being the only marathon worldwide where participants physically run across two continents.
The race commences on the Asian side of the city. Runners then make the spectacular crossing over to the European side via the iconic Bosphorus Bridge.
This year’s 47th edition was a massive global draw, attracting over 41,000 participants from 126 different countries who competed across four categories, including the full 42-kilometer distance.
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