Ethiopian Runners Secure Elite Titles at Tata Mumbai Marathon
The 21st edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon witnessed Ethiopian dominance in the elite categories. Tadu Abate Deme clinched the men's title with a time of 2:09:55, while Yeshi Kalayu Chekole triumphed in the women's race, clocking 2:25:13. Their victories highlighted the strategic depth required to conquer Mumbai's challenging course.
Men's Race: A Gripping Finish
Abate Deme engaged in a fierce battle with Kenya's Leonard Kiprotich Langat throughout the race. He demonstrated remarkable patience and tactical awareness. Abate waited until the final kilometer before making his decisive move. He then stretched clear to win by a margin of 15 seconds, showcasing his superior finishing speed.
Women's Race: Controlled Solo Run
Yeshi Kalayu Chekole executed a perfectly controlled race strategy. A large Ethiopian pack, including Medina Deme Armino, set the early tempo. Armino used her familiarity with Mumbai's roads to lead the group. However, with just over two kilometers remaining, Chekole broke away decisively. She ran the final stretch alone, securing her first career victory at a major marathon with authority.
Inspiring Indian Victories Steal the Spotlight
Beyond the international elite, the marathon celebrated remarkable achievements by Indian participants. Their stories added a deeply personal and inspiring dimension to the event.
Doctor Kartik Karkera's Unlikely Triumph
Kartik Karkera, an orthopedic surgeon, achieved an unexpected victory in the Indian elite men's category. He endured significant physical suffering during the race, a stark contrast to his professional role treating athletes. Completing this feat in his home city of Mumbai made the win exceptionally sweet. Remarkably, this was his first attempt at the full 42-kilometer marathon distance.
Sanjivani Jadhav's Comeback Win
Sanjivani Jadhav mirrored Karkera's success in the women's category. The 29-year-old athlete from Nashik was also running her first Mumbai Marathon. She finished as the fastest Indian woman with a time of 2:49:02. Her victory denied Nirmaben Thakor a hat-trick of titles in the Indian elite women's category, marking a significant shift in the competition.
The Tata Mumbai Marathon once again proved to be a test of both physical endurance and mental strategy. The event celebrated global athletic excellence while also highlighting the rising talent and inspiring personal journeys within India's running community.
