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Kenya's Mary Keitany opened up a lead after a 4:54 mile at the 20 mile mark.  The 36-year-old with a PR of 2:17:01 while winning the 2017 London Marathon was in control.  Mary won three consecutive TCS New York City Marathons from 2014 to 2016.  In 2016 her 3:34 margin of victory was the greatest in the women's race since 1980.  Last year she was runner-up to Shalane Flanagan clocking 2:27:54.  Today Shalane Flanagan was about a quarter mile back with six miles to go holding on to fifth place.  Molly Huddle (USA) was close behind.  At 35K Mary projected finish time was just 50 seconds off the course record.  The course record of 2:22:31 was set in 2003. Shalane Flanagan moved up to fourth at 35k with Molly in 5th.   Meanwhile Mary Keitany continued pulling further ahead clipping off 5:05 miles.  35-year-old Vivian Cheruiyot who won the 2018 London Marathon (2:18:31) upped her pace to 5:21/mile making a move on Ethiopian's Rahma Tusa who was second at 23 miles.  Mary crossed the finish line first clocking 2:22:48 crushing the field. Vivian Cheruityot was second in 2:26:02.  America’s Shalane Flanagan finished third in 2:26:22 and Molly Huddle was fourth in 2:26:44.  Rahma Tusa faded to fifth clocking 2:27:13.   2018 Boston marathon winner Desiree Linden placed 6th clocking 2:27:51.  Allie Kieffe (US) places 7th clocking 2:28:12.  

Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw produced another outstanding performance on the global stage on Saturday, September 19, 2026, winning the women’s 5km title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Amebaw stormed to gold in 14:41, adding another global title to her remarkable season just six days after winning the women’s 5000m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

The Ethiopian distance star once again demonstrated her ability to deliver when it matters most, producing a commanding performance over the fast Copenhagen course to claim the world 5km road title.

Kenya’s Caroline Makandi Gitonga delivered a brilliant performance to secure the silver medal in 14:48, giving Kenya a place on the global podium. Gitonga stayed firmly in contention throughout the race before crossing the finish line just seven seconds behind the newly crowned champion.

Australia’s Rose Davies completed the podium in 14:50, taking bronze and setting an Australian area record in an impressive display of front-running and determination.

The Copenhagen race was fiercely contested, with the leading athletes pushing the pace over the flat and fast 5km course. Amebaw, however, had the strength to separate herself from her rivals and hold on for another major championship victory.

What makes her achievement even more remarkable is the short turnaround between her two titles. Winning a world 5000m championship in Budapest and returning only six days later to triumph over 5km on the roads of Copenhagen is a remarkable demonstration of endurance, recovery and championship racing ability.

For Ethiopia, Amebaw’s victory adds another major international success to a season already filled with impressive performances. For Kenya, Gitonga’s silver medal provides another strong result on the world stage and confirms her ability to compete among the best road runners in the world.

With two global titles secured within just six days, Likina Amebaw has turned an extraordinary week into a defining chapter of her 2026 season.

France’s Agathe Guillemot produced a breathtaking final surge to claim the women’s mile title at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, securing the first individual global championship gold medal of her career.

Guillemot remained composed through the early stages of a tightly contested race, staying within the leading group as the athletes patiently waited for the decisive moments. Rather than committing too early, the Frenchwoman conserved her energy and positioned herself perfectly for the closing stages.

As the race entered its dramatic final phase, Guillemot unleashed a powerful acceleration that immediately changed the complexion of the contest. Her devastating finishing speed carried her away from her rivals, allowing her to cross the line in 4:22.74 and celebrate a memorable world championship triumph.

The victory was made even more remarkable by the quality of the performance. Guillemot’s winning time was a world-leading mark and a European record, taking almost half a second off the previous European record and moving her to fourth on the world all-time list.

Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu delivered another strong championship performance to secure the silver medal in 4:24.35. Hailu remained firmly in contention throughout the race, but she was unable to respond to Guillemot’s explosive finishing burst. It was Hailu’s second consecutive silver medal at the World Road Running Championships after also finishing runner-up in the inaugural edition in Riga in 2023.

For Kenya, Mirriam Cherop produced a performance full of determination and patience to capture the bronze medal in 4:25.71, returning to the global podium eight years after her breakthrough on the world junior stage.

Cherop first announced herself as a major international talent at the 2018 World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, where she won silver in the women’s 1500m in 4:10.73. She finished behind Ethiopia’s Alemaz Samuel, with Switzerland’s Delia Sclabas taking bronze.

Now, eight years later, Cherop has added a senior global medal to that junior silver, completing a remarkable journey from the junior podium in Tampere to the senior podium in Copenhagen.

Her bronze in Copenhagen was also a season’s best, underlining the quality of her performance against a world-class field. Cherop remained in medal contention deep into the race before holding her position through the decisive final stages.

The Copenhagen race was a tactical battle for much of the distance, with the leading athletes refusing to make a decisive move too early. The pack stayed closely bunched through 800 metres before the race began to unravel in the closing stages.

Guillemot’s patience ultimately proved decisive. With little more than 20 seconds of racing remaining, the Frenchwoman moved to the front and accelerated hard, quickly creating daylight between herself and the chasing group.

Behind her, Hailu secured silver while Cherop fought her way to bronze, giving Kenya another moment to celebrate on the world stage.

The result represents another important chapter in Cherop’s career. From a World U20 silver medal in Tampere in 2018 to a senior World Road Running Championships bronze in Copenhagen in 2026, eight years have separated two global podium appearances — but the determination to remain among the best has endured.

For Guillemot, meanwhile, Copenhagen provided the perfect ending to a demanding season. The Frenchwoman had already competed at major championships and international meetings across track, cross country and road racing before producing her biggest moment of the year on the streets of Copenhagen.

The home crowd also had reason to celebrate as Denmark’s Annemarie Nissen finished fourth in a personal best of 4:26.78, while Kenya’s Naomi Korir followed in fifth with another personal best of 4:29.15.

In the end, Guillemot’s perfectly timed attack delivered France a world champion, Hailu claimed another global silver, and Cherop completed a remarkable eight-year journey back to the world podium.

From junior silver in Tampere to senior bronze in Copenhagen, Mirriam Cherop’s story has entered another memorable chapter — and Kenya once again has a global medal to celebrate.

Women’s Road Mile Top 5 — Copenhagen 2026

1. Agathe Guillemot (France) — 4:22.74 — World Lead, European Record

2. Freweyni Hailu (Ethiopia) — 4:24.35 — Season Best

3. Mirriam Cherop (Kenya) — 4:25.71 — Season Best

4. Annemarie Nissen (Denmark) — 4:26.78 — Personal Best

5. Naomi Korir (Kenya) — 4:29.15 — Personal Best

The women’s mile in Copenhagen delivered a compelling championship race, combining tactical patience, a dramatic late surge and a closely contested battle for the medals. Agathe Guillemot’s decisive finish secured the world title, Freweyni Hailu added another global silver to her résumé, while Mirriam Cherop completed the podium after a determined performance. With a world-leading time, a European record and a tightly fought medal battle, the race provided a memorable highlight of the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

THIKA, Kenya — Charles Wanjora emerged victorious at the 6th Annual KATA Double Road Race 15K in Thika on Saturday, September 19, 2026, leading a competitive field in a unique two-stage contest that demanded endurance, careful pacing and the ability to recover before returning for another hard effort.

Wanjora won the men’s race in a combined time of 46:02, finishing 15 seconds ahead of Joshua Kibet, who was second in 46:17. Justus Nyamai completed the men’s podium in 47:10.

Erick Cheruiyot finished fourth in 48:01, followed by Francis Maina in 48:25. Joseph Nyota placed sixth in 49:49, while Vincent Kiprotich was seventh in 50:15.

Vincent Kariuki finished eighth in 50:54, narrowly ahead of Gideon Kiplang'at, who was ninth in 50:55. David Mwangi completed the top 10 in 51:19.

Ezekiel Itorik finished 11th in 53:03, Tom Ndiwa was 12th in 54:10, and George Munyagi completed the men’s field in 54:19.

In the women’s race, Ruth Maina took the top position in a combined time of 54:55. Felister Maina finished second in 55:14, while Pennina Kamau completed the women’s podium in 57:20.

The final results represent the combined times from the opening 10K and the concluding 5K, with athletes’ performances from both stages added together to determine the overall standings.

The KATA Double Road Race 15K is unlike a conventional continuous 15-kilometre race. Athletes first tackle a 10K leg, followed by a scheduled recovery period before returning for the final 5K leg. The second leg starts one hour and 45 minutes after the start of the first 10K, giving runners time to recover, take refreshments and prepare mentally for another competitive effort.

The start, finish and halftime recovery area are based near the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika, making the event a distinctive fixture for both KATA athletes and other competitors.

The concept of Double Racing was created by Bob Anderson, the founder of Runner’s World magazine, in 2010. Between October 2010 and October 2012, seven smaller Double races were held in Mexico under the name Bob Anderson 15K Challenge as the format developed.

The first official Double Road Race was staged in December 2012 in Pleasanton, California, attracting nearly 1,400 participants. Its signature format was the Double 15K, consisting of a 10K followed by a 5K and separated by a one-hour-and-45-minute recovery period known as the Restart.

The unusual format once again tested the athletes in Thika, with the conditions adding another layer of difficulty. The weather was noticeably hot, requiring runners to manage their effort carefully during the opening stage while preserving enough strength for the final 5K.

The humid air also made the conditions feel heavier as the competition progressed. After completing the first stage, athletes had to use the recovery period effectively before returning to the course and facing another demanding effort.

The two-stage structure can produce significant changes in momentum, with athletes having an opportunity to recover and challenge their positions during the final 5K. Ultimately, however, it is the combined performance across both stages that determines the final result.

Wanjora handled the demands of the format most effectively in the men’s competition, while Ruth Maina led the women’s field to claim the top spot.

2026 KATA Double Road Race 15K Final Results

Men

1. Charles Wanjora — 46:02

2. Joshua Kibet — 46:17

3. Justus Nyamai — 47:10

4. Erick Cheruiyot — 48:01

5. Francis Maina — 48:25

6. Joseph Nyota — 49:49

7. Vincent Kiprotich — 50:15

8. Vincent Kariuki — 50:54

9. Gideon Kiplang'at — 50:55

10. David Mwangi — 51:19

11. Ezekiel Itorik — 53:03

12. Tom Ndiwa — 54:10

13. George Munyagi — 54:19

Women

1. Ruth Maina — 54:55

2. Felister Maina — 55:14

3. Pennina Kamau — 57:20

The sixth edition of the KATA Double Road Race 15K once again demonstrated that the event demands more than conventional road-running speed. Athletes must combine endurance, intelligent pacing, recovery and composure to perform across two separate stages.

On a hot and humid day in Thika, Wanjora and Ruth Maina emerged at the top of their respective fields, while the full results reflected the depth of competition in this distinctive Worldwide road-running event.

Germany’s Robert Farken gave himself an unforgettable early birthday present in Copenhagen on Saturday, producing a devastating late surge to win the men’s Road Mile title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

Just one day before his birthday, Farken stormed to victory in a world-leading 3:51.80, timing his finishing move to perfection to edge American star Yared Nuguse in a thrilling battle over the closing stages.

The victory was not only a global road-running title for Farken but also a German road mile record, underlining the quality of his performance on the streets of Copenhagen.

Farken remained composed as the leading contenders battled for position, refusing to make his decisive move too early. With the finish approaching, the German unleashed his acceleration at exactly the right moment, opening a crucial gap on Nuguse and powering through the final metres to secure gold.

Nuguse, one of the leading contenders in the field, produced a season’s best of 3:52.33 to take the silver medal. The American remained in contention deep into the race but could not match Farken’s final burst.

Luxembourg’s Ruben Querinjean completed the podium in 3:52.83, adding another impressive chapter to his national record. His performance ensured that Luxembourg also left Copenhagen with a record-breaking result.

The victory marked a memorable moment for Farken, who turned the eve of his birthday into a celebration of global road-running success. Rather than waiting for the cake and celebrations, the German middle-distance specialist delivered his present on the road — a world title and a record-breaking performance.

The race also featured two Kenyan athletes. Brian Komen finished 14th, while Kyumbe Munguti placed 25th as the Kenyan representatives battled through a fiercely contested international field.

Men’s Road Mile Results

1. Robert Farken — Germany — 3:51.80

2. Yared Nuguse — USA — 3:52.33

3. Ruben Querinjean — Luxembourg — 3:52.83

Farken’s performance provided a fitting start to his birthday weekend. With the field separated by fractions of a second and the title ultimately decided by the final acceleration, the German showed remarkable patience before producing the decisive move when it mattered most.

One day before turning another year older, Farken had already given himself a gift that will be difficult to forget — world road mile gold in Copenhagen and a world-leading 3:51.80.

Sifan Hassan will return to the streets of New York City on November 1 with something she did not have during her difficult debut last year — experience of one of the most demanding marathon courses in the world.

The Dutch Olympic marathon champion is set to make her second appearance at the TCS New York City Marathon, where she will face another formidable international field led by defending champion Hellen Obiri, fellow Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui and former world champion Edna Kiplagat.

Hassan's first encounter with New York in 2025 proved to be a far tougher assignment than the three-time Olympic champion might have hoped. She finished sixth in 2:24:43 after struggling during the second half of the race, with her New York debut coming only weeks after her victory at the Sydney Marathon.

The demanding schedule left Hassan facing a difficult recovery, and New York's succession of bridges, climbs and sharp changes in rhythm exposed the challenge of arriving at the race without enough marathon-specific preparation.

This time, however, the circumstances are different.

Hassan has had considerably more time to recover and prepare for the marathon, while she has also been managing an Achilles problem that disrupted her 2026 season. Rather than rushing back into competition, she has used the year to recover and build towards her longer-term goals.

Most importantly, Hassan now knows what awaits her when the race moves through New York's five boroughs.

She has already experienced the relentless bridges, the demanding climbs and the atmosphere created by huge crowds lining the streets. That knowledge could prove valuable when the race enters its decisive stages, particularly on a course where pacing and patience are just as important as raw marathon speed.

Hassan will also arrive with one of the fastest personal bests in the field. Her 2:13:44 national record makes her the quickest woman entered for the 2026 race, although New York's challenging layout means personal-best times do not necessarily tell the whole story.

Standing across the starting line will be a powerful Kenyan challenge.

Obiri returns as defending champion after producing one of the most impressive performances in the history of the race last year. She stormed to victory in 2:19:51, breaking the long-standing New York City Marathon course record, and has since lowered her marathon personal best to 2:15:53 in London.

Chepkirui will also return after finishing third in New York last year. The 2024 champion owns a 2:17:29 personal best, while Kiplagat brings enormous experience to the field, having won major marathons in New York, Boston and London as well as world championship gold.

The international field also includes Ethiopia's Gotytom Gebreslase, Kenya's Viola Cheptoo and Mercy Chelangat, Uruguay's Julia Paternain, Germany's Fabienne Königstein and a strong American contingent led by Jess McClain, Fiona O'Keeffe and marathon debutant Weini Kelati.

For Hassan, however, this race is about more than the names on the start list.

New York gave her a difficult introduction to its unique demands in 2025. She now returns with a clearer understanding of the course, more marathon experience and a preparation cycle designed to put her in a different position when the race reaches its closing stages.

She has already conquered the marathon on the biggest Olympic stage. She has also run 2:13:44, one of the fastest times ever recorded by a woman.

Now, New York offers another test.

The streets that humbled Hassan last year will once again be waiting for her. But this time, she will not be discovering them for the first time.

On November 1, Hassan will have another opportunity to find out just how different New York can look when you return knowing exactly what lies ahead.

And with Obiri, Chepkirui, Kiplagat and a deep international field standing in her way, the second chapter promises to be every bit as compelling as the first.