Photo: Instagram.com/Hassan Chahdi
Top runners compete in the 2025 Paris Marathon
PARIS: The 2025 Schneider Electric Paris Marathon is bringing energy to the streets of Paris as top athletes from around the world will race through the city.
Aiming for victory, records, and national pride, both the men’s and women’s races will include Olympic medallists, world champions, and runners who have finished marathons with exceptional time stamps. With so much talent at the event, this is set to be one of the most exciting races ever.
Previous winners to defend their titles
Reigning champions Rotich and Korir are back to defend their titles, but competitive runners from all around the world are now ready to challenge them and give them tough competition.
Hassan Chahdi takes the lead for France
France’s top marathoner, Hassan Chahdi, is back in the race after his outstanding 2:07:30 finish at the 2024 London Marathon.
His last Paris marathon appearance was in 2017, when he finished with a final time of 2:10:20. Other French runners to participate in this year’s race are Yohan Durand (2:09:21 in 2021), Jason Pointeau (2:10:35 in 2024), and Florian Caro (2:13:42 in 2024).
The last French winner of the Paris Marathon was Benoît Zwierzchiewski, who clocked a time of 2:06:36 in 2002.
France hopes to see a French runner win again in Paris this year.
Kenya vs Ethiopia
Ethiopia and Kenya are also expected to offer keen competition. The two nations have dominated the marathon scene since 2008, and both have been getting podium finishes evenly across the last 16 years.
Kenyan athletes such as Bernard Biwott will compete. He won and finished at 2:05:54 at the 2024 Frankfurt Marathon. Strong competitors from Kenya also include Titus Kipkosgei (2:07:12), Dominic Ngeno (2:07:23), Timothy Kipkorir (2:07:53), Sila Kiptoo (2:08:09), Barnaba Kipkoech (2:08:21), and Edwin Kibichiy (2:09:20). Brian Kewmoi will also aim for a breakthrough in the full marathon after a remarkable half marathon record of 59:26.
Ethiopia’s lineup includes Olika Adugna Bikila (2:06:15), Tsedat Ayana (2:06:18), Hailu Zewdu (2:06:31), Andamlak Belihu (2:06:40), Desalegn Girma (2:06:52), and Dinkalem Ayele (2:07:53).
Tirunesh Dibaba to lead the women’s race
Tirunesh Dibaba, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and marathon bronze medallist in 2018, will participate in the women’s race. She is known for her best time of 2:17:56, achieved in London in 2017.
She will race against fellow Ethiopians Bedatu Hirpa (2:18:27), Dera Dida (2:18:31), Zinash Senbeta (2:21:05), and Kidsan Alema (2:22:28). The Kenyan lineup includes Angela Tanui (2:17:57), 2022 Paris champ Judith Korir, Evaline Chirchir (2:20:33) and Visiline Jepkesho (2:21:37). Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri is also a strong contender. She placed third in Berlin 2023 with a time of 2:18:41.
