Bernard Biwott Wins 2025 Paris Marathon as Djibouti Deny Kenya 1-2-3 Finish

Bernard Biwott

Bernard Biwott Wins 2025 Paris Marathon as Djibouti Deny Kenya 1-2-3 Finish

Festus Chuma 13:36 - 13.04.2025

Kenyans were dominant at the 2025 Paris Marathon, but Djibouti's Ibrahim Hassan denied them a clean 1-2-3 podium sweep.

Kenyans dominated the 2025 Paris Marathon once again with Bernard Biwott leading a formidable charge to victory in a stunning time of 2:05:25.

But just as a full Kenyan sweep of the podium seemed inevitable, Djibouti’s Ibrahim Hassan disrupted the script with a heroic second-place finish denying Kenya a 1-2-3 sweep on the podium.

Biwott, who won the Frankfurt Marathon last year, made his decisive move shortly after the 30-kilometer mark surging ahead with a blistering pace of 2:55 per kilometer.

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Hassan Makes History for Djibouti

Kenyan contingent had packed the front but Hassan delivered the surprise of the day, clocking 2:06:13.

Sila Kiptoo of Kenya came in third, just eight seconds behind Hassan, with a strong showing of 2:06:21 and he was closely followed by compatriots Enock Kinyamal (2:06:32) and Dominic Ngeno (2:06:37).

The race started fast, with Kenya’s Ezra Ondiso leading the men’s elite field at the 10-kilometer checkpoint in 29:37, closely tailed by Peter Kipsiirat and a tightly bunched Kenyan group.

The early stages hinted at a tactical battle, and by 20 kilometers, Zacharia Krop had taken the front in 59:38, just fractions ahead of Ondiso, Kipsiirat, and Ethiopia’s Dinkalem Ayele.

Barnaba Kipkoech also surged into contention making up seven places to join the lead group.

Biwott Breaks Away at 30K to Seal Victory

However, it was Biwott’s explosive surge at the 30-kilometer mark that shifted the race. He crossed in 1:44:03, opening a gap that Hassan and the rest of the pack struggled to close.

Hassan followed 11 seconds later, showing both patience and resilience, while Kiptoo, Ngeno, and Ayele trailed another 10 seconds back, locked in a fight for the final podium spot.

France’s best hope, Hassan Chahdi, made his return to the Paris Marathon after several years, but despite a respectable display he could not threaten the leaders.