Ethiopia's Dera Dida out to retain her women’s Dubai Marathon crown

Dera Dida typically shuns the spotlight and is barely heard when speaking. But on the road in running the marathon distance, she is a warrior making her voice heard.

The reigning Dubai Marathon women's champion is back in the emirate for Sunday's event looking to both retain her title and secure a spot on the three-member Ethiopian national team heading for the Paris Olympics this summer.

Dida, 27, kicked for home with around two kilometres to go to win last year's race at Expo City. This time around she tackles the flat and fast roads around the landmark Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Road area.

“I love running in Dubai. I won it last year and this time I want to win as well as try to better my personal best time so I can be a contender for the national team in the Paris Olympics,” she told The National through a translator at Friday's launch ceremony.

“If I can achieve that, it would be a dream come true for me. It’s not easy to represent Ethiopia in any distance races, though. I’ll do my best, and if I achieve my objective, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a spot in the national Olympic team.”

Dubai Marathon 2023

Dida arrives after running a personal best of two hours, 19 minutes and 24 seconds at the Berlin Marathon last September. As good as that time was, it paled against the mark set by fellow Ethiopian Tigist Assefa, who broke the women’s marathon world record with a time of 2:11: 53.

“That’s full credit to her,” she said of her compatriot’s world record. “We are in two different clubs back home but I have trained with her on and off. I wish Tigist will be in the Olympic team and will be at her best to bring gold for our nation.

“It really doesn’t matter who gets picked for the three-member marathon squad but