Running News Daily

The athletics world was left in disbelief on Sunday as Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera produced a performance for the ages, storming to an astonishing 26:01 over 10 kilometers at the Madrid Vintage Run in Spain.

Covering the distance at a remarkable average pace of 2:36 per kilometer, Kwizera delivered the fastest 10K ever recorded by a human being, eclipsing not only every road performance in history but also every track performance over the distance. The breathtaking run immediately captured global attention and reignited discussions about the evolving boundaries of endurance running.

The 26-year-old's extraordinary effort was significantly quicker than the current official world record of 26:31, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in February 2025. However, despite surpassing that mark by an incredible 30 seconds, Kwizera’s performance will not be ratified as an official world record.

According to competition regulations, the Madrid Vintage Run course does not meet the requirements for world-record eligibility. The route features a substantial net elevation drop of more than 160 meters and exceeds the allowable separation between the start and finish points, giving runners an advantage that falls outside World Athletics record standards.

Nevertheless, the performance remains one of the most remarkable displays of distance running ever witnessed. Regardless of its official status, no athlete has ever covered 10 kilometers faster, making Kwizera’s run a landmark moment in the sport.

What adds even more intrigue to the achievement is the contrast with his previous official personal best. Before arriving in Madrid, Kwizera’s recognized 10K best stood at 26:54. To lower that mark by 53 seconds at an elite level is almost unheard of, underlining the magnitude of what unfolded on the streets of the Spanish capital.

From the opening kilometers, Kwizera settled into an aggressive rhythm and never relented. As he surged toward the finish line, spectators realized they were witnessing a performance that would be discussed for years to come. The final clock reading of 26:01 confirmed a run unlike anything the sport had seen before.

While the mark will not enter the record books as an official world record, it has undoubtedly secured its place in athletics history. On a day when speed, endurance, and ambition converged perfectly, Rodrigue Kwizera delivered a performance that pushed the limits of human potential and produced one of the most extraordinary 10K runs ever recorded.

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 2025 Shanghai Marathon — a World Athletics Platinum Label event — is set for Sunday (30), and both the women’s and men’s races are shaping up as some of the strongest in the event’s history. Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and defending men’s champion Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba headline a deep international lineup chasing fast times on one of Asia’s premier courses.

The mass start field in Shanghai will once again deliver the energy and depth that has become a signature of this Platinum Label event, with tens of thousands of runners pouring through the city streets behind one of the strongest elite line-ups of the season. Local club runners, age-group veterans, first-time marathoners, and international amateurs will all share the course with the world’s best, creating a fast, colorful, and highly competitive atmosphere from start to finish.

With ideal late-November conditions expected and Shanghai’s reputation for producing personal bests, the mass field is poised for another year of standout performances and unforgettable marathon moments.

Kosgei Targets First Win in Two Years — and a Course Record

Brigid Kosgei, whose 2:14:04 stood as the world record from 2019 to 2023, lines up for her third marathon of the year. The 31-year-old Kenyan has been consistently sharp in 2025—second in Hamburg (2:18:26) and again in Sydney (2:18:56).

A victory in Shanghai would be her first since Abu Dhabi 2023, but the stakes go beyond winning:

• The course record stands at 2:20:36 (Yebrgual Melese, 2018).

• Pacers have been asked to roll out at 2:17:50 pace, fast enough to challenge both the course mark and the Chinese all-comers’ record (2:18:09 by Ruti Aga, 2023).

Kosgei will not be alone. Two sub-2:20 performers stand in her way:

• Irine Cheptai (KEN) — PB 2:17:51, coming off strong runs in Chicago and Boston.

• Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) — PB 2:18:35, part of Ethiopia’s long history of dominance here.

Ethiopian women have won 10 of the last 14 editions, and Mesfin leads their charge again.

China brings a serious contender as well.

• Zhang Deshun, the No. 3 all-time Chinese marathoner (2:20:53 at Tokyo), returns just two weeks after winning the National Games.

Add in Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) — who won marathons in Seoul and Mexico City this year — and the women’s race becomes one of the most competitive in Shanghai’s history.

Four Sub-2:04 Ethiopians Lead Men’s Lineup

The men’s race may be even deeper. Ethiopia sends a quartet capable of pushing into all-time territory:

• Deresa Geleta (ETH) — 2:02:38, fastest in the field

• Birhanu Legese (ETH) — 2:02:48, two-time Tokyo champion

• Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) — 2024 Berlin winner

• Dawit Wolde (ETH) — former Xiamen champion

Geleta has been brilliant when healthy, clocking 2:02:38 in Valencia and 2:03:51 in Tokyo this year, though he dropped out of Wuxi and the World Championships. Legese tuned up with a 1:00:54 at the New Delhi Half.

But Ethiopia is far from guaranteed victory.

Kiptoo Kipchumba Returns to Defend His Title

Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba, the 2023 champion, owns the Chinese all-comers’ record of 2:05:35 set in Shanghai. He hasn’t raced since placing 10th here last year, but he returns with unfinished business.

He is joined by a strong Kenyan contingent:

• Titus Kipruto — 2:04:54

• Solomon Kirwa Yego — 2:05:42

• Kenneth Keter — 2:05:53

• Edmond Kipngetich — 2:06:47

China’s biggest hope is Feng Peiyou, the second-fastest Chinese marathoner ever (2:07:06). A small improvement would break the national record of 2:06:57.

Pacers will target 2:58/km (≈2:05:00) — fast enough to threaten Kiptoo’s all-comers’ record.

 Leading Entries

Women

• Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:14:04

• Irine Chepet Cheptai (KEN) – 2:17:51

• Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) – 2:18:35

• Selly Chepyego Kaptich (KEN) – 2:20:03

• Zhang Deshun (CHN) – 2:20:53

• Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 2:21:36

• Veronicah Njeri Maina (KEN) – 2:24:46

• Xia Yuyu (CHN) – 2:25:45

• Wu Bing (CHN) – 2:26:01

• Li Meizhen (CHN) – 2:27:51

• Shen Ni (CHN) – 2:28:47

• Huang Xuemei (CHN) – 2:29:51

Men

• Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:02:38

• Birhanu Legese (ETH) – 2:02:48

• Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:03:48

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 2:04:42

• Titus Kipruto (KEN) – 2:04:54

• Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba (KEN) – 2:05:35

• Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) – 2:05:42

• Kenneth Keter (KEN) – 2:05:53

• Edmond Kipngetich (KEN) – 2:06:47

• Feng Peiyou (CHN) – 2:07:06

• Challa Gossa (ETH) – 2:07:32

• Wu Xiangdong (CHN) – 2:08:04

Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s absence from the European Cross Country Championships last year only seemed to fuel his determination for a spectacular return in 2024. On Saturday, the Norwegian middle-distance superstar, who won in both 2021 and 2022, captured his seventh Euro XC title—his third as a senior—at Dokuma Park in Antalya, Türkiye.

“The course was very challenging and tactical,” Ingebrigtsen, the two-time world 5,000m champion, told media post-race. “There’s a lot of fighting and pushing, a lot of things that could happen.” The 7.8 km course featured sections of sand and mud.

Ingebrigtsen ran comfortably in the lead pack throughout most of the race, before launching a decisive move in the final stages. He crossed the finish line in 22 minutes and 16 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa. Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo took bronze in 22:31.

Women’s race

Italy’s Nadia Battocletti stole the spotlight on the women’s side, securing her third continental title in 2024. The Olympic 10,000m silver medallist from Italy captured her first senior European cross-country title, following a season that saw her clinch a 5000m/10,000m double at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships.

Like Ingebrigtsen, Battocletti demonstrated strategic patience, remaining close to the front pack and unleashing a powerful kick in the final kilometres. She finished in 25:43—11 seconds clear of Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, who took silver for the second year in a row, crossing the line in 25:54 and matching her finishing time in 2023.  The European 10,000m champion, Yasemin Can, ran 26:01 to capture bronze in her home country.

Very fast times and thrilling races are expected at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on Sunday. Just a year after Yalemzerf Yehualaw set a sensational course record of 2:17:23, which at that time was an unofficial world debut record as well, a fellow-Ethiopian will be at the start line, hoping to smash the mark: 20 year-old Tiruye Mesfin announced at the press conference in Hamburg that she targets a world-class time of sub 2:17.

Brazil’s Daniel do Nascimento is among the men’s favorites. The South American record holder wants to bounce back after disaster struck in New York in November. After taking the European marathon gold in Munich in sensational style last summer Hamburg will be the first race at the classic distance for Germany’s Richard Ringer. Around 12,000 runners have registered for the marathon event while the total number including shorter races is over 30,000. 

A live stream of the race will be available worldwide at www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.deon Sunday. The race starts at 9.30am local time and the coverage will begin at 8.45am. While the commentary will be in German the Twitter account of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg will carry English elite race updates. 

Tiruye Mesfin could indeed be in a position to break the course record on Sunday if weather conditions will be suitable. At the moment the forecast looks good, however there might be some wind. The Ethiopian youngster ran a superb 2:18:47 debut at the Valencia Marathon in December and believes she can run considerably faster in her second marathon on Sunday.

“I am in fine form and my preparations went very well. I will try to break the course record, but at least I want to run a personal best,“ said Tiruye Mesfin, who hopes to be in the mix for Olympic qualification. „My plan is to run the first half in 68:00.“ While this would lead towards a world-class time of 2:16 she knows that it will probably not be enough to secure an Olympic spot. “I think I would have to go even faster, but there is some time left and I could do it in a later race.“ 

Qualifying for the 2024 Paris games will probably be easier for Stella Chesang since the competition for places in Uganda is not as tough as in Ethiopia. Running her debut marathon in Hamburg she is ready for an adventurous pace.

“I want to go with the first and see how it goes for me and what is possible. I hope to achieve Olympic qualification,“ said Stella Chesang, who chose Hamburg for her first marathon “because of the fast course“. Her half marathon PB of 68:11 indicates that she could break the Ugandan record of 2:23:13. And her tenth place at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, in February shows that she is probably in very good form.

Kenya’s Bernard Koech is the fastest runner in the field with a PB of 2:04:09. He did not make it in time for Thursday’s press conference because of a strike at Hamburg airport. South American record holder Daniel do Nascimento arrived a day earlier and was present when the conference fittingly began in room Sao Paulo at the Radisson Hotel.

A year ago the Brazilian, who recently trained in Uganda for a longer period, stunned with a time of 2:04:51 in Seoul. However the 24 year-old then collapsed with ten kilometers to go at the New York Marathon in November. Daniel do Nascimento ran world record pace in the first part of that race and was ahead by well over two minutes at half way. “I made a mistake in New York, it was not a good strategy. After 30k I felt sick and got stomach problems. For me marathon is a bit like a marriage - there are difficult times and better times,“ he said. “I will run more intelligently on Sunday  and will surely finish this time.“

If he should succeed in breaking his personal best he would then most probably break the course record as well. Last year Cybrian Kotut improved the mark to 2:04:47, which is just four seconds quicker than do Nascimento’s South American record. Unfortunately the Kenyan is among a number of withdrawals the organisers have to cope with. Ethiopians Mule Wasihun and Muktar Edris, who wanted to run his debut in Hamburg, had to cancel their starts due to an injury as well. 

After his sensational gold medal performance at the European Championships in Munich last summer Richard Ringer returns to the classic distance for the first time. Olympic qualification is his next major goal. “Preparing for Hamburg everything went really well, even better than expected,“ said Richard Ringer, who will choose a more conservative approach on Sunday. 

"I don’t want to take too many risk now as I really want to make sure that I achieve the Olympic qualifying time and go under 2:08.“ Richard Ringer’s PB stands at 2:08:49. “At the moment I hope that a time between 2.07:30 and 2:08:00will be enough to qualify for Paris.“ Another German runner who will go for the Olympic standard in Hamburg is local runner Haftom Welday. The former Eritrean surprised with a 2:09:06 in Berlin last year and now hopes to run well under the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10. Since he will choose a more aggressive approach than Ringer there could be an interesting German battle in Hamburg as well.

Elite Runners with Personal Bests

MEN:

Bernard Koech KEN 2:04:09

Tsegaye Kebede ETH 2:04:38

Daniel do Nascimento BRA 2:04:51

Martin Kosgei KEN 2:06:41

Masresha Bere ETH 2:06:44

John Langat KEN 2:07:11

Henok Tesfay ERI 2:07:12

Joshua Kemboi KEN 2:08:09

Daniel Mateo ESP 2:08:22

Richard Ringer GER 2:08:49

Martin Musau UGA 2:09:04

Haftom Welday GER 2:09:06

Derlys Ayala PAR 2:10:11

Jeisson Suarez COL 2:10:51

Ernesto Zamora URU 2:11:26

Andy Buchanan AUS 2:12:23

Arttu Vattulainen FIN 2:13:29

Joshua Belet KEN Debut

Moses Koech KEN Debut

Demeke Tesfaye ETH Debut

Simon Debognies BEL Debut

 

WOMEN:

Tiruye Mesfin ETH 2:18:47

Sintayehu Tilahun ETH 2:22:19

Giovanna Epis ITA 2:23:54

Dorcas Tuitoek KEN 2:24:54

Marion Kibor KEN 2:25:15

Kumeshi Sichala ETH 2:26:01

Tsigie Haileslase ETH 2:27:08

Paolo Bonilla ECU 2:27:38

Obse Abdeta ETH 2:27:47

Rosa Chacha ECU 2:28:17

Zenebu Bihonzg ETH 2:28:59

Katja Goldring USA 2:29:01

Tereza Hrochova CZE 2:29:06

Molly Grabill USA 2:29:17

Loreta Kancyte LTU 2:30:48

Fabienne Königstein GER 2:32:35

Tabea Themann GER 2:33:51

Stella Chesang UGA Debut

Mekdes Woldu FRA Debut

Mary Granja ECU Debut

Ana Ferreira POR Debut

Judith Jeptum Korir and Titus Ekiru landed a Kenyan double at the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, winning by significant margins at the World Athletics Elite Label road race on Friday (26).

The heat and humidity put paid to any truly fast times, so the course records remained intact. But Korir and Ekiru maintained their highly consistent career record over the marathon, winning in 2:22:30 and 2:06:13 respectively.

Korir, a former winner in Belgrade, Venice and Izmir, was part of a five-woman pack during the early stages, passing through 10km in 33:24. By the time the half-way point was reached in 1:10:27, just three women – Korir, 2009 world 10,000m bronze medalist Wude Yimer and Olympics seventh-place finisher Eunice Chumba – remained at the front.

Shortly after, Korir started to pull away from Yimer and Chumba. She reached 30km in 1:40:04, almost two minutes ahead of her closest pursuers and still on schedule to break the course record of 2:21:11, and by 40km her lead had grown to almost four minutes.

The conditions finally started to take their toll on Korir in the closing stages as her pace dropped, but by that point she had a comfortable margin and everyone else in the field were similarly feeling the effects of the heat. Korir crossed the line in 2:22:30, smashing her PB by more than four minutes. The 24-year-old, who earlier this year set a half marathon PB of 1:06:24, has now notched up four marathon victories from six races.

Chumba held on for second place in 2:26:01 while Uganda’s Immaculate Chemutai came through to take third in 2:28:30.

Ekiru, who was competing for the first time since setting a world-leading 2:02:57 in Milan in May, set out confidently in the hope that he could challenge the course record of 2:04:40. Once the last of the pacemakers had dropped out at 15km, reached in 44:21, Ekiru upped the tempo and reached the half-way point in 1:01:46 with just defending champion Reuben Kipyego by his side.

The Kenyan duo ran together for a few more kilometers before Ekiru started to run away, and by 30km Ekiru’s lead had grown to about 100 meters. Although Ekiru’s pace dropped in the closing stages, like women’s winner Korir, his lead was insurmountable and he won by more than a minute-and-a-half, crossing the line in 2:06:13. The 29-year-old has now won seven of the eight marathons he has completed.

Tanzania’s 2017 world bronze medalist Alphonce Felix Simbu overtook Kipyego with about four kilometers to go and took second place in 2:07:50. Kipyego held on for third in 2:08:25, finishing 21 seconds ahead of two-time world champion Abel Kirui.

Reuben Kerio of Kenya dominated the traditional International Peace Marathon in Košice. He won its 98th edition after completing the race in 2:07:18 hours.

He was 17 seconds shy of the race record set nine years ago by Kenyan marathon runner Lawrence Kimaiyo, who finished with a time of 2:07:01 hours. However, he still confirmed the dominance of Kenya in marathon running.

Hiribo Shano Share of Ethiopia finished second (2:07:48 hours), and third was another Kenyan, Albert Kipkosgei Kangogo (2:07:52 hours).

A record was broken among the women runners. Ayuntu Kumela Tadesse of Ethiopia completed the race in 2:24:35 hours, which is about one and a half minutes faster than the previous maximum set by her countrywoman, Sichala Kumeshi, two years ago. Kumeshi finished the race in 2:26:01 hours.

Tadesse shared the stage with two more runners from Ethiopia, who also broke the record. Maeregu Shegae Hayelom placed second (2:24:42 hours) and third was Dinknesh Mehash Tefer (2:25:00 hours), SITA reported.

The best Slovak runners were Tibor Sahajda, who placed seventh and became the Slovak champion for the third time, and Sylvia Sebestian, who ended sixth in the women’s category.

Kenya’s Leonard Barsoton and Ethiopia’s Guteni Shone ripped up the record book at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K 2019 as the pair set new event records for the World Athletics Silver Label Road Race – the only 25km race in the world with such a distinction – on Sunday (15).

Barsoton, the 2017 World Cross Country Championships silver medallist, crossed the line in 1:13.:05 to take 43 seconds off the event record set by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele in 2017 while Shone clocked 1:22:09 to win by more than a minute. She clipped took almost four minutes off the event record of 1:26:01 set by her compatriot Degitu Azimeraw two years ago.

Both of the winning times rank just outside the top 10 all-time marks for the 25km distance.

A large group of 11 runners in the men’s race went through the halfway point at 12.5km together in 37:11 (the 10km split being 29:41). However, over the next 2.5 kilometres several runners dropped off the back of the pack and just six were left at the front as 15km was passed in 44:21.

Despite the Ethiopian pair of Betesfa Getahun and Bayelign Yegsaw surging and pushing hard over the next five kilometres the same six – Barsoton, Getahun, Yegsaw, Uganda’s Felix Chemonges, Ethiopia’s Dagnachew Adere and Tanzania’s Faraja Damasi – were still more-or-less together as 20km was passed in 59:05; but with four kilometres to go Barsoton pushed hard for home and the move proved to be decisive.

Barsoton threw in a final 5km split of 14:00, the fastest 5km of the race, to win in 1:13:05 with Getahun, still with plenty of running in his legs despite his 2:05:28 marathon debut in Amsterdam less than two months ago, second in 1:33:33 and Yegsaw third in 1:33:36.

“It was a tough race and a tough course, and it was a close competition until the 20K mark, after which I broke free from the pack. I have been training hard this year, leading a disciplined life: sleeping early, rising early and training hard,” reflected Barsoton, whose previous credentials also include a half marathon personal best of 59:09 in Valencia in October.

"I had planned to push hard from 20km but looking at the other runners I decided to wait a little bit and then went at 21-k. But to beat a record of Bekele’s is so special. I’m very excited. 

“Next year, for sure I will make my marathon debut, but I don’t know where yet. However, I think I can run 2:03, a crazy time. If I can beat Bekele’s record here, I can run that sort of crazy time,” added Barsoton.

Bekele’s brother Tariku Bekele drifted off the back of the leading pack just after 13 kilometres and eventually finished 10th in 1:15:53 while Kenya’s 2009 and 2011 world marathon champion Abel Kirui, a late addition to the race, was a distant 11th in 1:18.08.

In contrast to the way the men’s race unfolded, Shone was out on her own over the last 10 kilometres.

After a group of seven women had passed 10km in 33:37, Shone started to increase the tempo and by the halfway point just had her training partner Desi Jisa for company.

The Ethiopian-born Bahraini hung on doggedly for another couple of kilometres but by 15km, which Shone passed in 50:03, the 2019 Sevilla Marathon winner was starting to pull away from her rival.

Shone passed 20km in 1:06:00 with Jisa now 42 seconds back and the gap continued to grow over the final five kilometres, which was covered in 16:09, before Shone crossed the line in 1:22:09.

Jisa hung on to take second in 1:23:32 with another Ethiopian-born Bahraini, Tejitu Daba, exactly one minute further back in third. The first five finishers were inside the former women’s event record.

“I have practiced (trained) very hard throughout the year and it is yielding results now,” Shone said.

“The temperature was a little hot and since the running was through the city there were many turns and bents to make the race tough. Moreover, you did not know what kind of surface to expect next, so you had to keep guessing. All of that made the course challenging and worth the run,” she added.

 

This was Kenya's 11th victory in a row and the 17th triumph of a runner from this country at the Košice marathon, which is the oldest one in Europe, the SITA newswire reported.

Altogether, about 14,500 runners competed in the marathon, the regional Korzár daily wrote.

Apart from the laurel wreath, Kipsambu also received a financial reward of €12,000 since he finished the race in under 2:10 hours. However, he did not break the record of his fellow countryman Lawrence Kimaiya from 2012, who finished the race in 2:07:01 hours.

Shumet Mengistu of Ethiopia came second (2:10:50), followed by Tsegay Tuemay of Eritrea (2:11:02). African runners have dominated the marathon since 2005, Korzár wrote.

“I wanted to improve my personal record of 2:07:20 from last year’s autumn marathon in Amsterdam, but nobody could do it with such a wind,” Kipsambu said after the race, as quoted by SITA.

Several other participants complained about the weather, too. The last time there was such bad weather during the marathon was in 1998, according to meteorologists.

A record was broken in the women’s category. The winner, Ethiopian Sichala Kumeshi Deress, finished the race in 2:26:01. Last year’s winner Miliam Ebongon of Kenya crossed the finish line in 2:27:16.

“I was in good form, so the wind didn’t bother me,” Kumeshi Deress said, as quoted by SITA.

However, she added that if there hadn't been any wind, she may have been able to finish around 2 hours and 23 minutes.

Second placed Chemtai Rionotukei from Kenya (2:33:27), followed by another Kenyan, Joan Jepchirchir Kigen (2:34:05).

Twelve months on from her convincing victory at the Volkswagen Prague Marathon, Bornes Jepkirui is back in the Czech capital to defend her title at the IAAF Gold Label road race on Sunday.

Jepkirui clocked a PB of 2:24:19 in Prague last year, winning by 54 seconds. Earlier this year she finished third in Osaka in 2:26:01, the second-fastest time of her career.

But given the quality of this year’s Prague Marathon field, the Kenyan may not have it all her own way again.

Since winning the European 10,000m title last August, Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter has shown fantastic form on the roads, winning over 10 miles in Zaandam and 10km in Rome, clocking a national marathon record of 2:24:17 to win in Florence, and more recently setting another national half marathon record to finish second in Prague in 1:06:09.

Lucy Cheruiyot finished two places behind Salpeter in Prague earlier this year, running 1:08:27. Although the Kenyan is a regular in Czech half marathons, the 22-year-old will still be stepping into the unknown on Sunday as it will be the first marathon of her career.

Amane Beriso is the fastest in the field. Her PB of 2:20:48 was set three years ago and she finished second in Prague in 2017, clocking 2:22:15.

Mamitu Daska’s PB of 2:21:59 dates back to 2011. Although she hasn’t bettered 2:25 since 2013, she finished third at the 2017 New York City Marathon against a quality field.

USA’s Kellyn Taylor-Johnson, who set a big PB of 2:24:29 last year, could challenge for a podium position. Getnet Yalew, who has represented Ethiopia at various major championships, should also feature among the leaders.

Soh Rui Yong is no stranger in Singapore's running scene. Soh holds the Singapore National 10,000m record with 31:15 set in 2014. He ran his first marathon in 2014 at the California International Marathon finishing in 2:26:01. 14. His childhood dream was to win a SEA Games gold medal, stand on the podium and hear Majulah Singapura played. He has achieved this dream twice...Soh ran 1:08:37 half marathon in strong winds and snowy conditions in 2018 Marugame Half Marathon. This record earned him a spot at the upcoming World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia on March 24 2018. What does he like better he was asked, "Road race has the bigger community, more racing opportunities, more money, more fun. Track racing needs to learn from road racing to market and run their events better. Especially in Singapore."