Third in the World and Marathon Wins: A Successful Weekend for On Athletes

Zurich, Switzerland, December 16, 2024 - With the year drawing to a close, the final competitions are taking place, with On athletes continuing to rack up wins, medals and podium finishes.

Third in the World 

Ashleigh Gentle celebrated an outstanding IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship debut, claiming the bronze medal behind Taylor Knibb and Kat Matthews. Gentle exited the water just 43 seconds behind leader Perez Sala alongside fellow On triathlete Paula Findlay. 20 km into the bike, Knibb had moved to the front, with Julie Derron 1:49 behind and Gentle just a second behind her. Another 20 km down, and Derron and Gentle had lost some seconds to leader Knibb but still held onto top five positions as they headed into the last section on the bike. With over a five-minute gap to make up, the On trio of Derron, Findlay, and Gentle came into transition zone two, knowing it would all come down to the run. 

With no stopping Knibb and Matthews at the front, the battle for third place was well and truly on. Simmonds and Derron found themselves caught by Gentle, who had no intention of slowing down. With just 7 km to go, it was clear that Gentle, the two-time Olympian, would be claiming the third podium spot in 4:03.01 in her final race of a highly successful race. 

Derron, who had so often claimed silver this past season, had to settle for fifth place in a time of 4:06.2, followed by Findlay about a minute later in 4:07.12. 

Gentle reflected on the race following the podium celebrations:

“The race went as good as it could have. I was uncertain of how I would perform, so I am proud that I stay engaged in the race and that my body allowed me to race at this high level one more time for 2024.”

Asked what her podium finish at her 70.3 Worlds debut meant to her, she said:

It means a lot. There aren’t many opportunities to race Championship races in the Southern hemisphere, so it was a big draw card to keep racing this late in the year, and I felt an immense amount of support on the race course.”

First and Second in Abu Dhabi

At the Abu Dhabi Marathon, Chala Regasa became the first man from Ethiopia to win the race in a time of 2:06.16, backing up his impressive win at the Vienna City Marathon in April this year. Regasa found himself in the lead group throughout the entire race, kicking in the last hundred meters to claim the victory and finishing just five seconds off from his personal best. His time marked the fourth best from the sixth edition of the event. Fellow On athlete Ibrahim Bouh from Dijouti finished just 17 seconds behind Regasa. Wilfred Kigen rounded off the podium.

Title Defence in India

At the Tata Steel Kolkata World 25K race in Kolkata, India, Sutume Kebede retained the women’s crown in the ninth edition. Kebede, who was announced as an On athlete earlier this year, recovered from a stomach bug just in time to defend her title in a time of 1:19.17. 

Last year, Kebede set a stand-alone world best during the race, and this year, she was not going to let her title slip into other hands. Despite initial challenges from Desi Jisa and Viola Chpengeno, Kebede set herself apart from the pack at the 23 km point, ensuring she would defend her title. 

A last Hura at the Züricher Silvesterlauf

Alongside 23,000 fellow runners, Swiss Marathon legend Tadesse Abraham said his final farewell to the elite side of running. Rounding off his career at the local Zürich race, Tadesse finished the 5.3km in 14:56.8 and in sixth place. 

Fellow On athlete Dominic Lobalu won the race, completing the 16 laps of the course in 14:28.7. Kibrom Ruesom of Eritrea joined Lobalu on the podium in third place, with a time of 14:42. In the women’s race, Swiss runner Helen Bekele claimed the silver medal, completing the 4km and 12 laps of the course in 12:21.4. Fellow On and Swiss runner Valentina Rosamilia claimed 5th in a time of 12:48.9. 

About On

On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.

On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.