Winners Crowned at the Rimi Riga Marathon and Latvian Marathon Championships

18 May 2025

On May 18, in the Rimi Riga Marathon 42 km distance, the overall winner in the men’s competition was Melikhaya Thomas Frans from South Africa with a time of 2:13:20, while Ayantu Kumela Tadesse from Ethiopia triumphed in the women’s race with 2:28:24.

 

The marathon also featured as the Latvian Championship, where the national titles were claimed by Kristaps Bērziņš (2:25:40) and Anna Kļučņika (2:50:18). Legendary runner Jeļena Prokopčuka ran her final elite-status marathon, earning a silver medal among Latvian women.

Behind Melikhaya Thomas Frans, Nguse Amlosom from Eritrea finished second with 2:13:26, and Anthony Kipchirchir Koech from Kenya took bronze with 2:13:28.

 

Men’s Overall Results

Marathon

Name Country Time
1. Melikhaya Thomas Frans South Africa 2:13:20
2. Nguse Amlosom Eritrea 2:13:26
3. Anthony Kipchirchir Koech Kenya 2:13:28
4. Cornelius Kibiwott Chepkok Kenya 2:13:37
5. Wisley Kimeli Kenya 2:14:10
6. Gilbert Kipkoech Bii Kenya 2:14:27
7. James Kiplagat Kenya 2:15:39
8. Kipruto, Evans Kenya 2:17:59
9. Kristaps Bērziņš Latvia 2:25:40
10. Pavel Laputjov Latvia 2:29:51

 

Winners Crowned at the Rimi Riga Marathon and Latvian Marathon Championships Ayantu Kumela Tadesse. Photo: Guntis Bērziņš

In the women’s field, Ayantu Kumela Tadesse convincingly secured 1st place with 2:28:24. Rebecah Jerop Cheruto from Kenya followed 6 minutes later, finishing second in 2:34:36, and third place went to fellow Kenyan Pauline Narogoi Esikon with 2:35:02.

 

Women’s Overall Results

Marathon

Vārds Valsts Rezultāts
1. Ayantu Kumela Tadesse Ethiopia 2:28:24
2. Rebecah Jerop Cheruto Kenya 2:34:36
3. Pauline Narogoi Esikon Kenya 2:35:02
4. Lilian Jebitok Kenya 2:36:00
5. Laura Jegelevičiūtė Lithuania 2:44:13
6. Anna Kļučņika Latvia 2:50:18
7. Jeļena Prokopčuka Latvia 2:51:00
8. Helēna Liepiņa Latvia 2:52:26
9. Modesta Bužerytė Lithuania 2:52:54
10. Vera Nunes Portugal 2:54:12

 

Winners Crowned at the Rimi Riga Marathon and Latvian Marathon Championships Anna Kļučņika. Photo: Guntis Bērziņš

Kristaps Bērziņš and Anna Kļučņika Crowned Latvian Champions

The marathon distance also served as the Latvian Championships, with Kristaps Bērziņš, Latvia’s most decorated marathoner, taking the national title with an impressive 2:25:40, placing 9th overall. Pavel Laputjov earned silver (2:29:51), while Renārs Roze claimed bronze (2:30:23).

Winners Crowned at the Rimi Riga Marathon and Latvian Marathon Championships Jeļena Prokopčuka. Photo: Guntis Bērziņš

In the women’s elite, the season leader Anna Kļučņika took the champion title with 2:50:18, placing 6th overall. Jeļena Prokopčuka finished just behind with 2:51:00, securing silver, and Helēna Liepiņa completed the podium with 2:52:26.

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