Running News Daily

Defending Champion Sheila Chelangat Returns for the 2024 Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon – April 27

Sheila Chelangat (first two photos) is set to defend her title at the 20th edition of the Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon on April 27. The 26-year-old Kenyan, who claimed her biggest career win on this same course last year, headlines a deep elite field featuring several of Africa’s top distance runners.

Chelangat made headlines in 2023 when she dropped nearly three minutes from her personal best to clock 66:47 in Istanbul. She continued to shine in 2024, running 66:42 in Copenhagen and a new PB of 66:06 in Valencia. But despite her strong form, she’s not the fastest woman in the field this year.

Fellow Kenyan Judy Kemboi, 25, enters as the top seed with a personal best of 65:43, set in Copenhagen. In just over a year, Kemboi has completed seven half marathons—winning five of them—including a strong second-place finish at this year’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (66:34) and a win in Guadalajara at altitude.

Another top contender is 29-year-old Winfridah Moseti, who recently proved her marathon strength with a 2:16:56 runner-up finish in Tokyo. Her half marathon PB stands at 65:59 from Malaga, but her recent form suggests she’s ready for more.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu and Kenya’s Alex Matata are expected to battle for the title. Teklu brings a 59:06 best and course experience—he finished third in Istanbul two years ago. Just days ago, he also won the Seoul Marathon in 2:05:42, confirming his top form.

Matata, 27, is one of Kenya’s fastest-rising stars. He won the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February with a personal best of 59:20, despite headwinds. In just one year of international competition, he’s already won six of his seven half marathons.

Not to be overlooked is Great Britain’s Callum Hawkins. A two-time World Championship marathon fourth-place finisher, Hawkins is returning to form and holds a half marathon PB of 60:00 from 2017.

Organizers expect around 17,000 runners across both the half marathon and parallel 10K event, making it Turkey’s largest and fastest half marathon. Entries are still open.

“Running around the historic city once ruled by three empires—and along the Golden Horn—is a priceless experience,” said Race Director Renay Onur. “Every runner should experience this event. And when champions return, it shows that Istanbul is one of the best places in the world to run.”