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.