by sportswriters Liu Yang and Du Yaning
XIAMEN, China, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian defending champions Dawit Wolde and Ruti Aga will return to the Xiamen Marathon on Sunday, the year's first World Athletics Platinum Label road race, as the 2026 event promises a strong international field.
Wolde shattered a decade-old course record last year, winning in 2:06:06. He returns as the men's top entrant with a personal best of 2:03:48.
In the women's race, Aga faces a challenge from compatriot Megertu Alemu, who leads the entries with a personal best of 2:16:34.
Wolde's 2025 victory was his first marathon on the Chinese mainland. Speaking at Saturday's pre-race press conference, the 34-year-old expressed his affection for the Xiamen course.
"Xiamen is one of the best courses I've ever been on. It was nice atmosphere and people to run with. That's why I had such a good time," Wolde said.
Asked about his recovery after placing second in Shanghai last November, he remained confident.
"Since I won here last year and I know the course well, I should be fine. I feel recovered and ready now," he said.
Wolde said he is not aiming to break the course record again.
"This time I just want to win," he said.
Wolde's challengers include Ethiopian compatriots Hailemaryam Kiros (PB 2:04:35) and Asefa Mengstu (PB 2:04:06).
In the women's field, Aga set the current Xiamen course record of 2:18:46 last year. That was the fourth sub-2:19:00 performance of her career. Her personal best of 2:18:09 was set in Dongying in east China's Shandong Province in 2023.
The 31-year-old won the 2019 Tokyo Marathon in 2:20:40 and has finished on the podium at several major marathons, including runner-up at the 2018 Berlin Marathon in 2:18:34.
Aga attributed her 2025 Xiamen victory to solid preparation and favorable weather. With her birthday (Jan. 16) falling five days after the race, a successful title defense would be a significant gift.
Her main rival is Alemu, a seven-time sub-2:19:00 runner who clocked 2:16:34 in London in 2024. The field also includes Ethiopia's Meseret Abebayehu and Fikrte Wereta, and Kenya's Helah Jelagat Kiprop.
On the domestic front, China's Yang Shaohui carries the country's hopes in the men's race. The national record holder, who ran a season-best 2:08:07 here last year, shared his approach.
"I sometimes over-trained. Last year's result came after a lighter period, which was unexpected," Yang admitted. "My coach often advises me to train less, to save my best condition for race day."
Facing a strong international field, Yang said his goal is to stay with the leaders as long as possible.
"I hope to try and keep up with their pace as long as possible, not sure for how many kilometers, but I'll give it my all," he said.
For the Chinese women, Zhang Xinyan has transitioned from the 3,000m steeplechase to the marathon. The national steeplechase champion set her marathon personal best of 2:26:56 in 2022.
"The marathon's greatest appeal is constantly breaking through your limits. It has infinite possibilities," Zhang said.
Zhang said her winter training has been less marathon-focused this year after taking a break following the National Games, but she remains optimistic.
"I hope everyone runs well tomorrow. Let's go all out and enjoy every second of the race," she said.
With course adjustments introduced this year, the race will be run under a sunny forecast with temperatures between 9 and 18 degrees Celsius, which Wolde described as "perfect". ■
