Running News Daily

Ethiopia’s Mulugeta Uma, the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon champion, has confirmed he will return to Canada’s premier road race on October 19 to defend his title. The 27-year-old says his focus is clear:

“My aim is to run a fast time but if I am unable to run a fast time I must win the race.”

Podium Rematch

Uma’s addition to the field sets up an exciting reunion with the two men who joined him on last year’s podium. Kenya’s Dominic Ngeno, who finished second in 2024, and Noah Kipkemboi, who claimed third, have already been confirmed for this World Athletics Elite Label race.

Though Uma won Toronto last year in 2:07:16, he has proven he can run much faster. His personal best of 2:05:33 came at the 2024 Paris Marathon, and he clocked 2:05:46 for fifth place earlier this year at the prestigious Tokyo Marathon, a World Marathon Major.

Remembering Toronto 2024

Uma recalls how last year’s Toronto victory unfolded dramatically.

“After halfway, no one was willing to lead but the Kenyan athlete (Ngeno) had a big surge and disappeared from our sight,” he remembers.

“We decided to leave him and thought we were going for second place. After a while I decided to try my best to catch him and, finally, I caught him and managed to win the race.”

His win earned him $20,000 CAD—a payday that has since risen to $25,000 for the 2025 edition. Beyond the prize money, Uma says he enjoyed his first visit to Canada’s largest city.

“I enjoyed the course and had an amazing experience in Toronto. I do have friends there and they are the ones who took me sightseeing.”

From Waliso to the World Stage

Born in Waliso, about 100 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa, Uma grew up in a farming family. Inspired by Ethiopia’s Olympic heroes, he pursued running as a child and quickly made a name for himself in the 1,500m, winning silver at the 2014 Olympic Youth Games and the 2015 IAAF World Youth Championships.

But his career was derailed when he ruptured his Achilles tendon—an injury he attributes to racing in spikes. It forced him into a seven-year hiatus.

His return to the sport was fueled by watching his hero, Kenenisa Bekele, transition to the roads.

“Kenenisa was the athlete who inspired me. I was eager to achieve what he did on the track. Annoyingly, my injury prevented me from the track racing I loved, but still my role model showed me I could run sub-2:02. I am working hard to run a fast time like him.”

Bekele, a three-time Olympic champion, famously ran 2:01:41 in Berlin in 2019—just two seconds shy of the then world record.

Family and Future Goals

Uma is married to Bone Chuluka, who represented Ethiopia at two World Cross Country Championships, winning medals in the mixed relay event. The couple, who currently have no children, train together as they pursue their athletic goals.

Looking ahead to October, Uma has his eyes not just on defending his crown but also on history. The course record in Toronto remains 2:05:00, set in 2019 by Kenya’s Philemon Rono.

Asked if he might challenge that mark, his response was simple:

“Yes, why not?”

Few would doubt his ability to deliver.