Tadu Abate and Yeshi Chekole dominate as Ethiopians sweep titles at Mumbai Marathon 2026
Ethiopia’s Tadu Abate Deme and Yeshi Kalayu Chekole emerged as the men’s and women’s champions at the 21st edition of the Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, delivering commanding performances on a redesigned course in the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. In the women’s elite race, Chekole secured the biggest victory of her career, claiming her first major marathon title. The 28-year-old executed a measured race plan, staying with the lead pack for much of the distance before making a decisive break in the closing kilometres. She crossed the finish line in 2:25:13, the fifth-fastest winning time in the event’s history. A large Ethiopian contingent had dominated the early stages, but Chekole showed superior finishing strength to pull clear and seal the win. The men’s elite contest produced a tightly fought battle, with Abate locked in a tactical duel with Kenya’s Leonard Kiprotich Langat and Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete for most of the race. Abate surged ahead in the final kilometre to clinch victory in 2:09:55, finishing 15 seconds ahead of Langat, while Kesete took third place …
