Gotytom Gebreslase wins the Eugene World Championships marathon as Tamirat Tola takes the men’s title
Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia surged to the women’s marathon title at the Eugene World Championships, finishing in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 11 seconds to set a meet record. Her victory followed a day after Tamirat Tola claimed the men’s crown for Ethiopia, a race that kept spectators on their feet and highlighted the strength of East African distance runners on North American soil.
In the runner-up sequence, Judith Korir of Kenya crossed the line second in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 20 seconds. Israel’s Lonah Salpeter followed with 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 18 seconds, while Eritrea’s Nazret Weldu finished in 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 29 seconds. American Sara Hall completed the top five with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 10 seconds. These results showcased a tightly fought race as competitors navigated a demanding course and shifting pace patterns throughout the event.
From the outset, athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, and other leading nations shaped the race’s early strategy. The lead group gradually set a steady tempo, reaching the five-kilometer mark in 16 minutes and 10 seconds, signaling the tactical battles that would unfold.
The pacing stayed controlled as eight elite runners formed a compact pack, maintaining a sub-3:20 per kilometer pace. They moved past the 10-kilometer split in 32 minutes and 39 seconds, indicating the race would not be decided early but rather in the kilometers ahead.
At the 18-kilometer point, the tempo intensified. The Ethiopian duo of Gebreslase and Ababel Yeshaneh began accelerations that would define the closing stages, while the Kenyan defense was anchored by Judit Korir, Angela Tanui, and Ruth Chepngetich, the latter of whom retired due to stomach issues. The field thinned as contenders jockeyed for position, with Tanui briefly slipping back before mounting a comeback to rejoin the leaders.
By halfway, at 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 1 second, Tanui appeared to lose ground but found renewed momentum to rejoin the front group, keeping the tension high as the finish line approached and the race shifted into a direct Ethiopian-Kenyan confrontation.
As the kilometers accumulated, Korir surged at the edge of the 25th kilometer, clocking 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 4 seconds. Gebreslase and the remaining chasers tightened the pace, creating a high-stakes battle as the field endured relentless effort from all sides.
With Tanui still near the front at the 26th kilometer, Yeshaneh began to lose a bit of ground, shifting the tactical frame of the race. Soon after, Korir and Gebreslase found themselves in a two-woman duel at the head of the field while the rest battled to bridge the gap and stay in medal contention.
As the clock neared the two-hour mark, Korir and Gebreslase increased the tempo to around three minutes per kilometer, carving out a clear lead. Gebreslase invited Korir to pair up, but the Ethiopian runner held a firm stance, resisting easy collaboration that could invite a counterattack. The duel remained fierce as they pressed toward the final stretch with the finish line looming ahead.
By the 35-kilometer mark, Salpelter and Weldu had moved ahead of the pursuing pack, positioning themselves as potential bronze medalists while Korir and Gebreslase continued their direct contest. The two leaders pressed on, aware of the demanding tempo and the tactical decisions shaping the outcome.
The leaders reached the 40th kilometer side by side at 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 17 seconds. Moments later, Gebreslase launched a decisive surge, creating separation from Korir and sealing the victory on the final stretch. Korir’s challenge faded slightly in the closing kilometers as Gebreslase extended her advantage and claimed the gold for Ethiopia (World Athletics).