Ethiopia’s long-distance stars stole the show at the 2025 Beijing Marathon, with Lemi Berhanu and Anchinalu Dessie clinching the men’s and women’s titles in a thrilling display of endurance. Over 32,000 runners raced from Tiananmen Square to the Beijing Olympic Park, passing landmarks like the National Speed Skating Oval—a nod to the city’s Olympic legacy 🏟️✨.
🏅 Record-Breaking Wins
Berhanu defended his 2024 title with a blazing time of 2:08:10, while Dessie sprinted to victory in 2:26:08. Their wins marked Ethiopia’s continued dominance in global marathons, blending speed and strategy on the revamped course, which featured fewer turnaround points for smoother runs.
🇨🇳 Homegrown Heroes Shine
China’s Li Dalin and Huang Xuemei topped the domestic leaderboard, proving local talent is rising fast. The event’s eight supply stations and seven hydration hubs kept runners fueled, blending high-tech support with crowd-powered cheers 🥤👏.
🌏 A Race for the World
From elite athletes to casual joggers, the marathon highlighted Beijing’s role as a global sports hub. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or just love a good underdog story, this year’s race had it all—plus epic selfie spots along the route 📸.
