Ethiopian runners Tadu Abate Deme and Yeshi Kalayu Chekole emerged victorious in the elite men\u2019s and women\u2019s races, respectively, at the 21st edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, held here on Sunday.<\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s elite marathon, Chekole registered the most significant win of her career, clinching her maiden major marathon title in a time of 2:25:13. The 28-year-old executed her race plan with precision, staying within the leading pack through the early stages before breaking away decisively towards the end to finish clear of her compatriots.<\/p>\n
![\"Tadu](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/4fl0zt\/article70522450.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/11908_18_1_2026_12_23_12_1_DSC_4511.JPG\" "\\"Tadu")
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Tadu Abate Deme crosses the finish Line as he wins Elite men\u2019s category in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on Sunday, January 18, 2026
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\n EMMANUAL YOGINI\n <\/p>\n
<\/div>\n \u201cI am very happy to be the champion today,\u201d Chekole said after the race. \u201cI came here expecting to break the course record, but the weather made it challenging. Still, I felt strong throughout, especially on the uphill and downhill sections.\u201d<\/p>\n Kidsan Alema Gebremedhin finished second, while Gojjam Tsegaye Enyew completed an Ethiopian sweep of the podium.<\/p>\n The men\u2019s elite marathon witnessed a tactical battle among East African runners before Abate produced a decisive surge in the final kilometre. Locked in a duel with Kenya\u2019s Leonard Kiprotich Langat for much of the race, Abate increased the tempo late to cross the finish line in 2:09:55. Langat followed 15 seconds later, while Eritrea\u2019s Merhawi Kesete claimed the third position.<\/p>\n \n Indian Elite winner Kartik Karkera is ecstatic as he crosses the finish line during the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on Sunday, January 18, 2026. <\/div>\n \u201cIt was a very competitive and tactical race,\u201d Langat said. \u201cThe course was challenging but well organised.\u201d<\/p>\n A delighted Abate credited patience for his success. \u201cThe hills were tough, but after halfway I focused on conserving energy and choosing the right moments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n With the twin victories, Ethiopia completed a men\u2019s and women\u2019s double at the Mumbai Marathon for the seventh time.<\/p>\n The results: Marathon: Elite men:<\/b> 1. Tadu Abate Deme (Eth, 2:09:55), 2. Leonard Kiprotich Langat (Ken, 2:10:10), 3. Merhawi Kesete Weldemaryam (Eri, 2:10:22). <\/p>\n![\"Indian](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/s7imwd\/article70522461.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/11908_18_1_2026_12_23_13_3_DSC_4596.JPG\" "\\"Indian")
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\n EMMANUAL YOGINI\n <\/p>\n