Ethiopia’s Almaz Kebebe confirmed her rise as one of marathon running’s brightest young talents on Sunday, powering to victory in the women’s ASICS Gold Coast Marathon in 2:24:53. At just 20 years old, it is the biggest win of her career so far, and came just 31 seconds outside the women’s course record of 2:24:22 set by Japan’s Yuki Nakamura in 2024.
Almaz Kebebe: Top 3 – Women’s Marathon
| Place | Runner | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almaz Kebebe | Ethiopia | 2:24:53 |
| 2 | Antonina Kwambai | Kenya | 2:25:41 |
| 3 | Kaede Kawamura | Japan | 2:28:00 |
Kebebe showed composure well beyond her years, sitting patiently behind the early pace before working her way to the front as the race unfolded. She described the pack coming back to her rather than having to chase, a sign of the strength she carried through the closing kilometres in warm, still conditions on the Gold Coast.
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Kenya’s Antonina Kwambai, among the pre-race favourites, chased hard but had to settle for second in 2:25:41, while Japan’s Kaede Kawamura completed the podium in 2:28:00 on her first visit to the Gold Coast.
“This is a big victory for me, this is unbelievable.”
Almaz Kebebe
Kebebe said afterwards that the win had come as a surprise given how the race played out, but that she felt strong throughout and was thrilled with the support from spectators lining the course. Her performance further cements her status as one of the sport’s fastest-rising young stars heading into the second half of the international marathon season.
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With her maiden Gold Coast title secure, Kebebe joins a growing list of Ethiopian women making their mark on Australian road racing this year, and looks set to be a name followed closely on the major marathon circuit in the seasons ahead.
Related reading: Gold Coast Marathon 2026 Results: Strintzos Breaks Australian Record.
