It was a family affair at the Dubai Marathon over the weekend, where Ethiopians Abdisa Tola and Dera Dida took home victories.
Tola, 22, who made his marathon debut in 2:05:42, is the brother of world marathon champion Tamirat Tola. Dida, 26, the 2019 world cross country silver medalist ran a personal record and took home her first marathon victory in 2:21:11, according to World Athletics. Dida is married to Tamirat Tola.
Second and third place finishes for the men also went to Ethiopia: Deresa Geleta finished second behind Tola in 2:05:51, and Haymanot Alew finished six seconds later in third.
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On the women’s side, Ethiopians Ruti Aga (2:21:24) and Siranesh Yirga (2:21:59) finished behind Dida. According to World Athletics, Ethiopian athletes finished in the top 11 for men and top 10 for women.
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a seven-time marathoner with a best of 3:31—but she is most proud of her 1:32 half, 19:44 5K, and 5:33 mile. Her work has been published in The Boston Globe, Popular Mechanics, The Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Cooking Light, CNN, Glamour, The Associated Press, and Livestrong.com.
