Rain doesn’t stop the 35th Rimi Riga Marathon from becoming the largest event in its history
18 May 2025A total of 40 122 participants registered for various distances of the Rimi Riga Marathon held on May 17–18, making it the largest runner turnout in the event’s history.
This weekend’s running celebration welcomed a significant number of international runners – 6 017 participants from 109 countries, which is a 40% increase compared to 2024. Despite the rainy weather, the Rimi Riga Marathon concluded with impressive results from both international and Latvian elite runners. Overall, the largest mass sports event in the Baltics took place without any serious incidents.
Anna Kļučņika. Photo: Guntis Bērziņš
Kristaps Bērziņš and Anna Kļučņika crowned Latvian Marathon champions
Latvia’s most decorated marathoner, Kristaps Bērziņš, claimed the national championship title with an excellent time of 2:25:40, finishing 9th overall. The women’s title went to Anna Kļučņika, the season’s top performer, who completed the marathon in 2:50:18, placing 6th overall. Jeļena Prokopčuka finished in 2:51:00, earning the silver medal.
Melikhaya Thomas -Frans. Photo: Guntis Bērziņš
In the international field, the men’s overall winner was Melikhaya Thomas Frans from South Africa with 2:13:20, and the women’s victory went to Ayantu Kumela Tadesse from Ethiopia with 2:28:24.
International podium in the half marathon; Edgars Šumskis and Ieva Moļņika lead Latvians
In the Rimi Riga Marathon half marathon – where the elite runners had a separate start – the overall men’s winner was Ethiopia’s Abera Mamo with a time of 1:01:42, while Germany’s champion Domenika Mayer took the women’s victory with 1:09:50.
Among Latvian runners, Edgars Šumskis delivered the top male performance with 1:07:58. In the women’s elite, Ieva Moļņika represented Latvia, finishing in 1:22:21, placing 7th overall among women.
Uģis Jocis and France’s Trehin Ophelie Win the 10 km
The 10 km distance featured an exciting race where Uģis Jocis set a new personal best, finishing under 30 minutes with 29:54. Hungary’s Ádám Lomb took 2nd place (30:23), and young talent Emīls Matias Reinfelds finished 3rd with 31:56.
In the women’s race, Trehin Ophelie from France triumphed with 37:25, closely followed by Estonia’s Minna Kelk (37:26), while Ilze Jumiķe completed the podium with 37:44.
Fast times on the new 5.7 km route
In the new 5.7 km “Anniversary Five” course, which passed the Freedom Monument, Roberts Glazers won a tight race in 17:29, followed by Lauris Grīniņš (17:34), and Ralfs Dzosens (17:41) rounding out the top three.
In the women’s field, the podium resembled that of the DPD Mile – Melanie Bovy remained unbeaten with 19:18, just ahead of DPD Mile Latvian champion Sibilla Vanadziņa (19:30). Marta Luīze Pētersone finished 3rd in 19:51.
Uģis Jocis and Sibilla Vanadziņa crowned Latvian Champions in the DPD Mile
On May 17, international stars stood atop the DPD Mile podium, with Ben Claridge taking 1st place among men and Melanie Bovy of Belgium remaining unbeaten in the women’s race.
The DPD Mile also served as the Latvian championship, where Uģis Jocis became national champion in a close finish with 4:14.21, narrowly edging past national record holder Nikita Bogdanovs (4:14.77). Kristers Kudlis earned bronze with 4:18.03. In the women’s category, Sibilla Vanadziņa took gold (4:55.90), Austra Ošiņa claimed silver (5:00.90), and Elīna Gumarova took bronze (5:21.79).
40 122 participants – the largest turnout in the Rimi Riga Marathon history
The 35th anniversary of the Rimi Riga Marathon attracted a record-breaking number of runners – 40 122 participants registered across all distances. Despite the rainy weather on Sunday, the streets were filled with professional athletes, beginners, speedy DPD FAST amateurs, families with children, and strong contingents from the School Cup, Rimi Team Cup, and the “Inclusive Marathon” initiative.
