This is called a successful baptism of fire. This Sunday morning in the streets of the capital, the Ethiopian Abeje Ayana, just 20 years old since the beginning of February, won the elite men’s race of the 46th edition of the Paris Marathon. A great hope in the small world of running, and for good reason: it was the very first time that he set off at the start of a marathon.
On the 42 kilometers of the Parisian route, he beat, in 02:07:15, his compatriot Guye Adola (02:07:35), thirteen years his senior and winner of the Berlin marathon in 2021. The podium is completed by Kenyan Josphat Boit (02:07:40). Ayana had so far only started on half-marathons in official competition, with in particular second places gleaned in Poznan in 2021 and in Cardiff in 2022.
Among the women, it was a much more experienced name on the podiums over this distance that won: the Kéynane Helah Kiprop, 37, winner in particular of the Copenhagen marathon in 2022. For her first coronation in Paris, she is imposed in 02:23:19, barely 0.25 seconds ahead of the Ethiopian Atalel Anmut, who finishes with the same time. The Ethiopian Filkrte Wereta (02:23:22) completes the podium.
Among the men, the first Frenchman managed to climb into the top 10: Mehdi Frère, 10th overall in 02:11:05. Morhad Amdouni (13th), Yoann Kowal (15th), Freddy Guimard (16th) Adrien Toucas (18th) and Mael Sicot (20th) all place in the top 20. Among the women, the first French is Anaïs Quemener 12th in 02: 47:02, just ahead of Latifa Mokhtari (13th) and Camille Chaigneau (16th).