El Idrissi breaks women’s marathon world record at Paralympics
- Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi of Morocco set a new world record in the women's marathon for visually impaired runners, finishing in 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds.
- Meryem En-Nourhi and Elena Congost secured second and third places, respectively, while the previous record holder, Misato Michishita, finished fourth.
- El Idrissi's achievement underscores the remarkable talent present at the Paralympic Games and highlights the competitive nature of the event.
On the final day of the Paralympic Games in Paris, Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi from Morocco achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the world record in the women's marathon for visually impaired runners. She completed the race in an impressive time of 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds, surpassing the previous record held by Japan's Misato Michishita by nearly six minutes. This significant achievement highlights El Idrissi's exceptional talent and determination in the sport. El Idrissi's compatriot, Meryem En-Nourhi, finished the marathon just over nine minutes behind her, securing a commendable second place. Spanish runner Elena Congost followed in third, while Michishita, the former record holder, placed fourth, nearly 15 minutes behind the winner. This race showcased the competitive spirit and skill of the athletes involved, particularly in the visually impaired category. In addition to the women's marathon, the men's T12 marathon was won by Tunisia's Wajdi Boukhili, who clocked in at 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 5 seconds. Boukhili's performance was notable as he finished ahead of Spain's Alberto Suarez Laso and Morocco's El Amin Chentouf, both of whom also achieved season-best times. The event also featured Swiss wheelchair racers Catherine Debrunner and Marcel Hug, who triumphed in their respective T53/54 marathon categories. Debrunner, a world record holder, finished with a time of 1:41:50, while Hug completed his race in 1:27:39. The closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games promised to be a grand celebration, culminating in a dance party at Stade de France.