With an impressive time of 2:16:52, Yalemzerf Yehualaw won the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. The 25-year-old Ethiopian improved the course record from 2022 by almost half a minute. In the men’s race, after an exciting battle, the victory also went to Ethiopia. Tsegaye Getachew claimed his second win in Amsterdam with a time of 2:05:38.

Yehualaw dominated the marathon by the halfway point. She pulled away from her competitors at the Amstel River, running alongside pacer Björn Koreman. For a long time, the Ethiopian was one and a half minutes ahead of the previous course record pace (2:17:20, Almaz Ayana). Encouraged by her final pacer, she was guided through Vondelpark towards the iconic Olympic Stadium. Despite the evident challenge, she had enough left to set a new record.

No one has ever run faster in Amsterdam than Yehualaw, who also improved her personal best by half a minute. Her time is the fifth fastest of the year. Haven Hailu, also from Ethiopia, finished second in a personal best of 2:19:29. Winfridah Moseti took third place with a time of 2:20:27.

Women are making waves in road racing. Just a week ago, Ruth Chepngetich broke the world record for the distance at the Chicago Marathon 2024.

Men’s Race: A Tight Battle

In the men’s race, a large leading group formed early on. After a solid first half, with good work from the pacers, the pace picked up significantly after 32 km. The split began. After 38 km through the picturesque Vondelpark, three athletes were left vying for victory: Tsegaye Getachew (ETH), Boki Asefa (ETH), and Maru Teferi (ISR). The course record of 2:03:39 (Tamirat Tola, 2021) was out of reach, and only one thing mattered now: winning this Platinum Label marathon.

Getachew appeared to have the upper hand, having the fastest time and a previous victory in 2022. However, just before the stadium, Getachew nearly took a wrong turn in his deep concentration. He quickly recovered and, to loud cheers from the crowd, the 27-year-old marathoner was the first to enter the Olympic Stadium. With his arms raised, he crossed the finish line, finishing in 2:05:38, not surpassing his personal best. The podium was completed by Boki Asefa (2:05:40) and Maru Teferi (2:05:42).

All eyes in Amsterdam were also on Khalid Choukoud. After competing in the Olympic marathon this past summer, it wasn’t an easy race for him. Yet he clocked a respectable 2:09:30, finishing in tenth place. “You just don’t want to miss Amsterdam. I hit a rough patch after 25 km, but I pulled through. My coach told me: do it for your daughter and wife. And I can dig so deep for them. There’s nothing better than the feeling of entering the stadium,” he said.

He was followed by debutant Filmon Tesfu, who crossed the finish line beaming with a time of 2:10:58. “I’m very satisfied. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the crowd. Amazing, amazing,” he beamed. He dared to voice his goal: “I’m going to do everything to make it to the Olympic Games.”

Among the Dutch women, Marcella Herzog was the first to enter the stadium, finishing with a time of 2:34:21, falling short of her personal best.

All results can be found here.

50th Anniversary in 2025

The first edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon took place in 1975, and the event will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. That same year also marks the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam. Registration for the special jubilee edition opens next Sunday, October 27.

Source: Amsteram Marathon

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