Kolole Mekashu and Gemechu Dida achieved an Ethiopian double at the XL Medio Maratón Internacional Guadalajara Electrolit, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
Mekashu clocked a PB of 1:12:49 to win the women’s race by four seconds, while Dida ran 1:03:38 to pip Kenya’s Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi in a close battle.
Mekashu and Kenya’s Mercy Jerop Kwambai ran as part of a group that passed 5km in 17:42, 10km in 35:03 and 15km in 51:56.
Mekashu, Kwambai and Mexican triathlete Anahí Álvarez broke away and Álvarez looked to be pushing the pace. But Mekashu and Kwambai were waiting for their moment to kick and they first ran together before Mekashu moved ahead and eventually won by four seconds – 1:12:49 to 1:12:53.
Álvarez gained on Kwambai but ran out of road and finished third in 1:12:54.
The men’s race ended in a sprint. Dida and Lasoi ran together as part of a large pack that hit 5km in 15:20 and 10km in 30:36. A breakaway group of six passed the 15km mark in 45:17 and then the race was down to Dida and Lasoi plus Kenya’s Moses Kibet and Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo.
Dida had the strongest finish and he held off Lasoi, both athletes given a finishing time of 1:03:38.
Kibet was five seconds behind them and Kilimo a further three seconds back. Kenya’s Victor Kipchirchir was fifth (1:04:10) and Mexico’s Antonio Vara was sixth (1:04:40).
Leading results
Women
1 Kolole Mekashu (ETH) 1:12:49
2 Mercy Jerop Kwambai (KEN) 1:12:53
3 Anahí Álvarez (MEX) 1:12:54
4 Adela Honorato (MEX) 1:13:35
5 Marcela Álvarez (MEX) 1:13:42
6 Ana Torres (MEX) 1:15:03
Men
1 Gemechu Dida (ETH) 1:03:38
2 Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) 1:03:38
3 Moses Kibet (KEN) 1:03:43
4 Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo (KEN) 1:03:46
5 Victor Kipchirchir (KEN) 1:04:10
6 Antonio Vara (MEX) 1:04:40
