Hailu’s PB Leads Ethiopian Sweep as Teklu Wins Tight Men’s Battle at Seoul Marathon

Ethiopia’s Haven Hailu produced the standout performance of the day at the Seoul Marathon, storming to victory in the women’s race with a personal best of 2:19:10 to headline a commanding Ethiopian sweep on the streets of Seoul.

Hailu’s impressive run led a clean sweep of the podium for Ethiopia, with defending champion Bekelech Gudeta finishing second in 2:19:40, also a personal best, while compatriot Bosena Mulatie produced a strong late push to secure third place in 2:19:48.

The trio’s sub-2:20 performances highlighted Ethiopia’s continued dominance in the women’s marathon, with Hailu gradually asserting control in the latter stages before pulling clear to seal the biggest victory of her marathon career.

Hailu Headlines Ethiopian Women’s Dominance

The women’s race developed into a showcase of Ethiopian depth as the leading trio maintained a strong and consistent tempo across the largely flat Seoul course.

Hailu made the decisive move in the closing kilometers, maintaining a controlled rhythm that carried her to the finish line in 2:19:10, marking a significant personal best and confirming her growing stature among the emerging generation of elite marathoners.

Gudeta, returning to Seoul as the defending champion, delivered another composed run to secure second place while improving her lifetime best to 2:19:40. Mulatie completed the podium in 2:19:48, ensuring a memorable Ethiopian sweep in one of Asia’s most prominent road races.

Teklu Edges Dramatic Men’s Finish

Earlier, the men’s race had delivered one of the tightest finishes in the history of the Seoul Marathon.

Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu surged ahead in the closing stretch to win in 2:04:23, narrowly holding off compatriot Getaneh Molla, who finished just two seconds behind in 2:04:25.

Kenya’s Gilbert Kibet crossed the line in 2:04:32 to claim third place, while Eritrea’s Tsegaye Tadese finished fourth in 2:04:33.

The quartet remained locked together deep into the final kilometers before Teklu produced a decisive surge in the closing stretch to secure victory in a race where the top four were separated by just ten seconds.

The performance once again highlighted the reputation of the Seoul course as one of the faster marathon routes in Asia, regularly producing competitive fields and strong finishing times under the sanctioning of World Athletics.

Results – Seoul Marathon 2026

Men

1. Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 2:04:23

2. Getaneh Molla (ETH) – 2:04:25

3. Gilbert Kibet (KEN) – 2:04:32

4. Tsegaye Tadese (ERI) – 2:04:33

Women

1. Haven Hailu (ETH) – 2:19:10 PB

2. Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 2:19:40 PB

3. Bosena Mulatie (ETH) – 2:19:48