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Somali-born Abdi Nageeye wins Rotterdam marathon

Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye (R) reacts as he runs to the finish line in second place in the men's marathon final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Sapporo on August 8, 2021. (Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP)

By AFP | 14 Apr 2024

The Somalia-born Nageeye clocked 2hr 04.45min, finishing five seconds ahead of Ethiopian Amedework Walelegn.

Dutch runner Abdi Nageeye, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, won the Rotterdam marathon on Sunday, bettering his own national record by 11 seconds.

The Somalia-born Nageeye clocked 2:04.45, finishing five seconds ahead of Ethiopian Amedework Walelegn, with Birhanu Legese, also of Ethiopia, rounding out the podium.

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Amedework clocked 2:04.50 and Birhanu 2:05.16 while Kenneth Kipkemboi of Kenya, who had been carrying his country's hopes, finished in fourth place with a time of 2:05.43.

Kipkemboi's compatriot, Enock Onchari, came in fifth with a time of 2:06.07.

𝑹𝑶𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑫𝑨𝑴 🥰
1️⃣ Abdi Nageeye | 2:04:45
3️⃣ Birhanu Legese | 2:05:16

2️⃣ Viola Kibiwott | 2:20:57
3️⃣ Selly Chepyego | 2:22:46#NNRunningTeam pic.twitter.com/vsZ8tNHw6j
— NN Running Team (@NNRunningTeam) April 14, 2024

Abdi Nageeye took a moment to reflect on his triumph in Rotterdam, expressing his awe at the unprecedented and seemingly effortless experience.

"I've never experienced anything like this," he commented, emphasizing his exceptional performance that made it "seem like we were taking a leisurely jog."

Despite facing obstacles such as accidentally stepping on a manhole cover and experiencing a slight twinge in his hamstring, Nageeye's careful strategy proved successful, ultimately leading him to triumph in front of the spirited Rotterdam crowd.

Pondering the potential pursuit of the European record, Nageeye openly questioned, "What course of action should I take?' Is it worth pursuing the European record? Those individuals can be quite challenging as well..."

Abdi is optimistic he will better his performance at the upcoming Paris Olympics. He took silver at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Rotterdam race course record of 2:03.36, set three years ago by Bashir Abdi of Belgium, remains unbroken.

There was a victory in the women's race for Ethiopia's Ashete Bekere, whose winning time of 2:19.30 was enough to see her finish ahead of the Kenyan pair of Viola Kibiwot and Selly Chepyego Kaptich.

Prior to the race, there was a sombre mood as the late Kelvin Kiptum was honoured with a minute of silence. The Rotterdam bib number one was also officially retired with most athletes wearing black ribbons in his memory.

Additional reporting by Rama Mohammed and World Athletics