Ethiopian athletes cemented their long-distance running dominance at the 2025 Beijing Marathon, with Lemi Berhanu and Anchinalu Dessie claiming victory in Sunday's high-profile race. Over 32,000 participants traversed the 42-kilometer route from Tiananmen Square to Beijing Olympic Park, passing landmarks including the National Speed Skating Oval that underscores the city's Olympic legacy.
Berhanu successfully defended his men's title with a time of 2:08:10, while Dessie secured her first women's championship in 2:26:08. The streamlined course design – featuring reduced turnaround points and enhanced hydration stations – drew praise from competitors for improving race flow.
Chinese runners Li Dalin and Huang Xuemei emerged as domestic champions, highlighting growing local participation in marathon culture. Event organizers emphasized the race's role in promoting international sports exchange, with athletes from 48 countries and regions contributing to Beijing's largest post-pandemic athletic gathering.
