Ethiopian Champions Lemi Berhanu And Aberash Minsewo Set To Defend Titles At Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025

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The Tata Mumbai Marathon is set to celebrate its 20th edition on 19 January 2025. This prestigious event, first held in 2004, has become a significant fixture in the global running community. It has provided a platform for athletes to achieve success and qualify for major competitions like the World Championships and Olympic Games.

Defending champions from Ethiopia, Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Aberash Minsewo, are gearing up to defend their titles. Berhanu is aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive win, which would be a first in the marathon's history. "My preparation for the Mumbai Marathon has been excellent," said Berhanu.

Joining Berhanu are elite runners including Kenya's Philemon Rono, a three-time winner in Mumbai. Bazezew Asmare from Ethiopia also returns after recovering from an injury. Asmare stated, "I ran my last marathon with a small injury, but now I'm fully fit and well-prepared for Sunday."

Aberash Minsewo, who won her first marathon in Mumbai last year, is confident about repeating her success. At just 23 years old, she feels ready to face challenges from fellow Ethiopian runners. "Last year was a learning curve," Minsewo remarked about her preparation this year.

The women's race will see strong contenders like Shitaye Eshete and Shuko Genemo. Eshete shared her journey from track events to marathons, highlighting the need for consistent long-distance training. "I've shifted my focus to marathons because there are more opportunities to earn and achieve success," she explained.

Shuko Genemo expressed confidence in her preparation alongside her partner under a dedicated coach. She mentioned, "I'm in great shape now and confident that all the effort we've put in will lead to a strong performance." The experienced Eshete and Genemo aim to surprise on race day.

Prize Money and Records

The prize pool for the marathon totals USD 389,524. The top three finishers in both men's and women's categories will receive USD 50,000, USD 25,000, and USD 15,000 respectively. An additional USD 15,000 reward awaits those who break existing event records.

Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu (2:07:32) and Anchialem Haymanot (2:24:15) hold the current event records since 2023. The competition promises intense performances as athletes strive for victory and potential record-breaking achievements.

Philemon Rono aims for a comeback after a challenging season last year. He emphasized his meticulous preparation despite running another marathon just six weeks ago. "Running for Kenya is both an honour and a challenge," Rono said about his aspirations.

This year's Tata Mumbai Marathon not only marks two decades of excellence but also brings together elite athletes eager to make their mark on this historic course. With high stakes and fierce competition expected on race day, participants are prepared to deliver outstanding performances.