Geoffrey Kipchumba faces tough Ethiopian challenge in Amsterdam Marathon title defence

Geoffrey Kipchumba faces tough Ethiopian challenge in Amsterdam Marathon title defence - Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba wins the 2025 TCS Amsterdam Marathon. (Photo: TSC Amsterdam Marathon)

Among those standing in his way is Tsegaye Getachew, who finished second to Kipchumba last year. The Ethiopian knows what it takes to win in Amsterdam, having claimed the title in 2022 and 2024.

Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba will have to hold off a strong Ethiopian challenge if he is to retain his TCS Amsterdam Marathon title on Sunday, with two of his main rivals arriving with personal bests close to his own.

Toroitich returns to the Dutch capital after winning last year’s race in 2:03:30, setting a course record in only his second marathon. He has since shown that the performance was no fluke, finishing second in Tokyo in March after clocking the same 2:03:37 as winner Tadese Takele.

Among those standing in his way is Tsegaye Getachew, who finished second to Kipchumba last year. The Ethiopian knows what it takes to win in Amsterdam, having claimed the title in 2022 and 2024.

Haymanot Alew is another threat to Kipchumba’s title defence. His personal best of 2:03:31 is just a second outside Kipchumba’s. The Ethiopian returns to the Netherlands after finishing fifth in Rotterdam in April in 2:05:19.

The depth of the men’s field means Kipchumba will have little room for error. Eleven entrants have run under 2:05, including Israel’s Maru Teferi, the 2023 world silver medallist, who finished third in Amsterdam in 2024.

Other Kenyan runners to watch include Justus Kipkorir Limo, who ran 2:04:55 in Seville in February, and Nicholas Kipkorir, the world half marathon silver medallist who will be competing in only his second marathon after finishing in 2:06:07 in Boston in April.

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“The entry list also stars 2015 world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, Barcelona Marathon runner-up Patrick Mosin and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi, who makes his marathon debut after winning the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in 58:26 in August,” World Athletics said in a statement.

Ethiopia’s Aynalem Desta will also return to defend the title she won last year in a personal best of 2:17:37. The performance was the third-fastest time recorded in the Amsterdam Marathon, leaving her with a strong mark to chase as she targets another victory.

Aynalem will face familiar opposition from compatriot Meseret Belete, who won the race in 2023 in 2:18:21. Buze Diriba, who won the Frankfurt Marathon last October in a personal best of 2:19:34, adds to the Ethiopian challenge.

Kenya will be represented in the women’s race by Evaline Chirchir, Stacey Chepkemboi Ndiwa and Rebecca Chepkwemoi.

“Chirchir finished one place behind Diriba in Daegu earlier this year in 2:20:51 and clocked 2:21:32 in Berlin last month. She is entered for her third marathon of the year,” World Athletics said.