Ethiopian runners crowned in Beijing Marathon, record number of participants break 3-hour barrier

BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A record over 4,700 runners completed the 2025 Beijing Marathon within three hours on Sunday, while Ethiopia's Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Anchinalu Dessie Genaneh won the men's and the women's events respectively.

Hayle clocked 2 hours, 8 minutes and 10 seconds to defend his title, which was more than one minute faster than his last year's performance.

His compatriot Desalegn Girma Debel finished second, followed by DPR Korea's Han Il Ryong in third.

In the women's event, Genaneh registered 2 hours, 26 minutes and 8 seconds to secure victory, just 7 seconds ahead of runner-up Marion Jepkonga Kibor of Kenya, while another Ethiopian runner Kuftu Tahir Dadiso placed third.

Featuring a record 32,000 participants this year, the Beijing Marathon, spanning from Tian'anmen Square to the Beijing Olympic Park, provided more opportunities for runners to show themselves in the dual Olympic city.

According to the organizers, over 4,700 runners finished the 42.195-kilometer race within three hours, which broke the record of 3,004 set last year. ■