In its lengthy history the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has never had a brother and sister duo claim victory in this IAAF Gold Label event. That could all change if Abera Kuma and his sister Dibabe Kuma have their way on 20 October.
The Ethiopian siblings have made an extraordinary impression in their marathon running careers already and have both targeted victory in Toronto. Abera, 28, finished second at the 2018 Rotterdam Marathon in a personal best of 2:05:50 and has been world-class since finishing third at the 2014 Berlin Marathon in 2:05:56.
Most recently, he finished second at the Ottawa Marathon in May. This will be the first time he and Dibabe have traveled to a marathon together, something his younger sister welcomes.
“Yes, it’s the first time we are traveling together to a race,” said Dibabe, who is 22. “I am looking forward to traveling together. I think it will help because it’s family and I will be relaxed. Abera inspired me to start running; his support helped me a lot at the beginning of my career.”
“My big goal is to win the race,” Dibabe said. “I know about the weather. I heard it can be cold, but I will be prepared for that.
“I am still young, but I enjoy the marathon. My goals are to win races and I hope to represent my country at championships and hopes do very well for Ethiopia.” The siblings were born in Ambo, west of Addis Ababa, but moved with their parents to Ethiopia’s capital city when they were quite young.