Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir, two Ethiopian runners, won the men’s and women’s Paris Marathons on their first attempts on Sunday.
Uma was well on his way to the finish line when he nearly collided with an official on the last turn. He was heading straight when the official directed him to the right, almost putting Uma off balance.
Uma immediately recovered his composure and pointed to the audience as he celebrated.
He won in 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 33 seconds, beating Kenyan duo Titus Kipruto (2:05.48) and 2021 champion Elisha Rotich (2:06.54).
Fikir was pushed harder than Uma and narrowly overtook countrywoman Enat Tirusew on the final stretch.
Tirusew was right to her when Fikir glanced at her watch and sprinted away to win in 2:20:45, with Tirusew three seconds back.
Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot, 40, a repeat Olympic and world championship medalist in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, finished third in 2:21.46.