Ben Claridge and Melanie Bovy win the DPD Mile; Uģis Jocis and Sibilla Vanadziņa Crowned Latvian Champions
17 May 2025The DPD Mile, which on May 17 officially kicked off the Rimi Riga Marathon’s 35th anniversary weekend, saw Great Britain’s Ben Claridge claim overall victory in the men’s race with a time of 4:08.84, while Belgium’s Melanie Bovy topped the women’s field with a time of 4:53.44.
The DPD Mile also featured the Latvian Championship, where Uģis Jocis (4:14.21) and Sibilla Vanadziņa (4:55.90) claimed national titles. A record-breaking 6 052 runners took on the classic 1 609m distance.
The international podium in the DPD Mile featured Ben Claridge in 1st place, followed by Italy’s Giovanni Filippi in 2nd with a time of 4:09.97 – falling short of his 2023 World Road Running Championship record in Riga (3:57.41). Kenya’s George Manangoi claimed 3rd place with a time of 4:10.16.
Photo: Mareks Gaļinovskis
Men’s Overall Standings
DPD Mile
Among the women, Melanie Bovy finished first, followed by Latvian champion Sibilla Vanadziņa (4:55.90) in 2nd, and Austra Ošiņa in 3rd with a time of 5:00.90.
Photo: Lauris Vīksne
Women’s Overall Standings
DPD Mile
Latvian Championship medals were also awarded during the DPD Mile. In a closely contested race, Uģis Jocis took the title with 4:14.21, narrowly edging out national record holder Nikita Bogdanovs (4:13.20), who finished in 4:14.77 to take silver. Bronze went to Kristers Kudlis with a time of 4:18.03. In the women’s field, Sibilla Vanadziņa earned gold (4:55.90), Austra Ošiņa claimed silver (5:00.90), and Elīna Gumarova took bronze (5:21.79).
Although Asnate Caune initially appeared to have earned bronze in the Latvian Championship with a strong performance in the open DPD Mile start, the judges ruled that medals and prizes for Latvian athletes would be awarded only to participants in the elite start at 11:00 AM.
Growing Popularity for the DPD Mile
Photo: Mareks Gaļinovskis
Though still a relatively new addition to the Rimi Riga Marathon, now in its third year, the DPD Mile has rapidly gained popularity among runners. A record-breaking 6 052 participants took part in the race, which followed a scenic route from the Art Museum to the Freedom Monument.
Boasting the status of the official Latvian Championship in the mile (1 609 meters) and carrying the World Athletics quality label, the DPD Mile attracted not only elite runners from Latvia and abroad but also School Cup participants, beginners, and families with children. The race also featured a notable group from the “Inclusive Marathon” program, which brings together participants with mobility impairments and their assistants. Latvia’s most decorated Paralympian Aigars Apinis joined the race alongside the group, while two-time Paralympic champion Rihards Snikus handed out medals at the finish line.
Perfect Conditions for Kids’ Day
Photo: Aksels Zirnis
Meanwhile, a lively and well-attended Kids’ Day took place on the 11th November Embankment. This year’s event drew a large crowd thanks to a variety of fun and engaging activities, including race distances of 60m, 200m, and 400m, the “Toyota WESS Grand Sprint,” and the “Happy Babies” run. Organizers also provided numerous athletic and entertaining experiences throughout the event site. In total, 8 165 enthusiastic kids took part in Kids’ Day activities.
Photo: Aksels Zirnis
