Mulu seboka

World Athletics Gold Label Race: Ethiopia’s defending champions Hayle Lemi Berhanu and Aberash Minsewo are returning to retain their titles at the Mumbai Marathon 2025, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, scheduled on January 19. Berhanu will attempt a hat-trick of wins after his back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024 in the men’s section. If successful, he will be the first runner to achieve this honour in the 20 years of the race.

Incidentally, Kenyan John Kelai, who won in 2007 and 2008, made such an attempt earlier but could finish only third in 2009. Although Ethiopian woman Mulu Seboka secured three wins in Mumbai, she skipped the 2007 edition before claiming her third title.

The first three finishers in both men’s and women’s categories will receive USD 50000, $25000, and $15000 from the prize pot of USD 390,238. A reward of USD 15,000 also awaits those who break the existing records in their respective categories. Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu (2:07:32) and Anchialem Haymanot (2:24:15) have held the event records since 2023.