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Ethiopia's Tigist Ketema sets record for fastest marathon debut

Ethiopian runner Tigist Ketema broke the world record for fastest marathon debut in Dubai on Sunday, shaving more than a minute off the course record.

Clocking a time of 2:16:07, the 25-year-old became the eighth-fastest woman in marathon history as she took gold, breaking the Dubai course record by 61 seconds.

A former African Under-20 Championships gold medalist in the 800 meters, Ketema established herself as a long-distance running prospect by winning the Great Ethiopian Run 10-kilometer race in 2022.

Ethiopia swept the women's podium in Dubai as Ruti Aga (2:18:09) and Dera Dida (2:19:29) finished second and third.