Running News Daily

Kenya once again underlined its marathon supremacy with a stunning display at the 2026 Linz Marathon in Austria, producing brilliant victories in both the men’s and women’s races and filling the podiums with world-class depth. From the opening kilometres to the final strides, the East African distance powerhouse controlled the streets of Linz in emphatic fashion.

In the men’s contest, Abednego Cheruiyot delivered a composed and powerful performance to seize the title in 2:08:53. Running with confidence and precision, Cheruiyot timed his move to perfection and crossed the line as champion, adding another major international triumph to Kenya’s growing collection this season.

Ethiopia’s Sahelislassie Bekele Nigussie pushed hard in pursuit and secured second place in 2:09:32, while Kenya’s Victor Biwott Kipkoech completed the podium with an excellent 2:10:00, ensuring two Kenyan athletes stood among the top three finishers. Ethiopia’s Shengo Kebede followed in fourth with 2:10:32, while Kenya continued its dominance through Bernard Muia Katui in fifth and Jackson Rutto Kemboi in sixth.

The women’s race brought more Kenyan celebration as Jackline Chepngeno stormed to victory in 2:26:01 after a commanding run filled with strength and consistency. She held her rhythm brilliantly and never allowed the challenge behind her to grow into a real threat.

Fellow Kenyan Mary Munanu Waithira made it a memorable one-two finish for the nation, clocking 2:26:59 for second place. Austria’s home favourite Julia Mayer delighted local supporters with a strong third-place finish in 2:29:48, earning a deserved podium on home soil. Ethiopia’s Agrie Wole Belachew claimed fourth, with Kenya’s Rael Cherop Boiyo and Ukraine’s Olga Nyzhnyk rounding out the top six.

The final standings told the story of the day: Kenya’s athletes combined tactical intelligence, relentless endurance and finishing power to turn the Linz Marathon into a showcase of national excellence. With victories in both elite races and multiple top-six finishes, Kenya did not simply win in Linz — it ruled the event from start to finish.

The German Simon Boch won the 21st Linz Donau Marathon, the unofficial winning time: 2:09:25 hours. A course record was set again for the women. Best Austrian was Matthias Maldet.21st Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon is Simon Boch. He is from Germany. With a time of 2:09:25 hours, he remained well below the course record from the previous year by Ethiopian Fikre Bekele (2:06:13).Four Kenyans landed behind him: Evans Kimtai Kiprono (2:09:25) was second, Kemboi Jackson Rutto (2:12:02) third, Luke Kibet Cheruiyot (2:12:15) fourth, Cornelius Chepkok (2:12: 26) Fifth. Best Austrian was Matthias Maldet in 2:31:04 as seventh.

Course record for women

For the third time in a row, the organizers of the Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon were able to celebrate a course record. The Kenyan Teclah Chebet stayed more than three minutes under the previous record in 2:27:18 hours. The German favorite Domenika Mayer from Regensburg (2:28:47) took second place after surviving the corona infection.

2008 Olympic steeplechase champion Brimin Kipruto of Kenya will finally take a leap of faith as he eyes his debut at the ultimate distance when he competes at the Linz Marathon on April 14.

The 33-year-old Kenyan will make his marathon debut in the Austrian city, having run 62:25 for the half marathon at the end of last year.

He will be keen to eclipse his steeplechase mentor and running partner Ezekiel Kemboi, who will also be changing gears to the marathon in Hamburg, also in April.

"It is time I transitioned to the marathon. I may not be fast enough to win or do well in the steeplechase and the marathon offers me a new life, new challenge and new tactics. I want to do my best, but I have to be patient and listen to my body, feel the pain of running a marathon and know how easy or hard it is on the other side," said Kipruto on Wednesday in Eldoret.

Kipruto's training partner, Kenyan Nicholas Rotich, who was fourth in the Vienna Marathon last year, and Patrick Kibet Cheruiyot will also compete in Linz.

Kenya's Samuel Theuri Mwaniki, who was fifth in 2013, and Uganda's Felix Chemonges further boost the field.

"Kipruto will make his marathon debut in Austria. As the organizers of the Linz Marathon can confirm, the winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics will be at the starting line on April 14," said organizers.

Kipruto is considered the top favorite in the eight-member elite field of men and though he has no previous experience in the marathon, hopes are high that he may seek to challenge the current course record of 2:07:33.

"I am looking forward to the challenge at the Linz Marathon. I have heard a lot of positive things about the event and the course," Kipruto said.