Dawit Wolde of Ethiopia crosses the finish line during the men's event of the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

XIAMEN, China, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Dawit Wolde and Ruti Aga claimed the respective men's and women's titles, both with new course records, at the 2025 Xiamen Marathon on Sunday.

Wolde clocked a winning time of two hours, six minutes and six seconds, shattering the previous record of 2:06:19 set by Kenya's Moses Cheruiyot Mosop in 2015. Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho took silver, 12 seconds back, while another Ethiopian runner Asefa Boki Kebebe secured bronze in 2:06:32.

"The course is amazing and nice. We are lucky to have [competed in the Xiamen Marathon] this season and the weather is nice. I like this race because the atmosphere is good and it is well organized. I will come back," said Wolde.

Aga captured the women's title with 2:18:46, breaking the former course record of 2:19:52 set by her compatriot Mare Dibaba Hurrsa in 2015. Gutemi Shone and Fikrte Wereta, also from Ethiopia, finished second and third respectively.

The Xiamen Marathon gained the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label in 2021. This year's event has attracted 35,000 contestants from 46 countries and regions. ■

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Ruti Aga of Ethiopia crosses the finish line during the women's event of the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Gold medalist Dawit Wolde (C) of Ethiopia, silver medalist Tebello Ramakongoana (L) of Lesotho and bronze medalist Asefa Boki Kebebe of Ethiopia pose on the podium during the men's awarding ceremony of the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Gold medalist Ruti Aga (C), silver medalist Guteni Shone (L) and bronze medalist Fikrte Wereta of Ethiopia pose on the podium during the women's awarding ceremony of the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Participants start during the Xiamen Marathon 2024 in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)