Running News Daily

The historic streets of Istanbul once again staged a thrilling celebration of world-class road racing as the 2026 Istanbul Half Marathon delivered speed, drama, and unforgettable performances along the famous Bosphorus route. Against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cities, elite athletes produced a race day filled with courage, precision, and remarkable endurance.

The women’s contest was a masterclass in composure and tactical brilliance, with the leading pack maintaining a fierce tempo from the opening kilometers before the race ignited in the closing stages. In the end, Kenya’s Purity Kajuju Gitonga emerged victorious in a superb 1:06:50, holding off a powerful challenge from Eritrea’s Ftaw Zeray, who finished just seven seconds behind in 1:06:57.

South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba secured an impressive third place in 1:07:03, continuing her rise on the international stage, while Ethiopia’s Asmarech Anley and Zimam Baraky Redae completed a strong top five in a race packed with depth and quality.

The men’s race produced one of the most memorable moments of the season. Kenyan twin brothers Alex Nzioka Matata and Charles Mbatha Matata crossed the line together in a sensational dead heat, both officially timed at 1:00:01. It was a rare and historic one-two finish that perfectly captured both fierce competition and family unity.

Their synchronized triumph underlined Kenya’s continued dominance in distance running, while Turkey’s Ali Kaya battled bravely for third in 1:00:12.

Women’s Top 10 Finishers

1. Purity Kajuju Gitonga (Kenya) – 1:06:50

2. Ftaw Zeray (Eritrea) – 1:06:57

3. Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) – 1:07:03

4. Asmarech Anley (Ethiopia) – 1:07:14

5. Zimam Baraky Redae (Ethiopia) – 1:07:31

6. Evaline Chirchir (Kenya) – 1:08:49

7. Beriha Gebreslasie (Ethiopia) – 1:09:21

8. Vivian Jepkogei Cheuriyot (Kenya) – 1:09:23

9. Nursena Ceto (Turkey) – 1:11:27

10Rose Chelimo (Bahrain) – 1:11:40

Men’s Top 10 Finishers

1. Alex Nzioka Matata (Kenya) – 1:00:01

2. Charles Mbatha Matata (Kenya) – 1:00:01

3. Ali Kaya (Turkey) – 1:00:12

4. Benard Kibet Murkomen – 1:00:22

5. Robert Keter – 1:00:40

6. Moses Cheruiyot – 1:00:48

7.Teresa Nyakola – 1:00:51

8. Mengistu Bekele – 1:00:56

9. Solomon Kirwa Yego – 1:01:13

10. Shura Kitata – 1:01:20

With fans around the world following the action live, the 2026 Istanbul Half Marathon once again proved why it remains one of the premier road races on the global calendar. In a city that connects continents, this year’s edition connected generations of greatness—through speed, resilience, and moments destined to be remembered.

The 2026 Yangzhou Half Marathon unfolded as a dramatic battle not only among the world’s finest distance runners but also against unforgiving heat and suffocating humidity. In conditions that demanded absolute resilience, tactical precision, and unshakable mental strength, two commanding performances rose above the rest—Kenya’s Alex Nzioka Matata and Miriam Chebet delivering masterclasses to claim the men’s and women’s titles respectively.

In the men’s race, the tempo was fierce from the outset, as elite contenders pushed the pace despite the oppressive climate. Yet it was Matata who ultimately seized control with authority. Displaying a perfect blend of patience and power, the Kenyan star surged through the latter stages to cross the finish line in a stunning 59:11, setting a new course record and stamping his dominance on the race. His performance was as composed as it was explosive, marking a defining moment in his rising career.

Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer Mekonen mounted a strong and consistent challenge, clocking 59:30 to secure second place after staying within reach for much of the race. Fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba completed the podium with an impressive 59:57, ensuring a double podium finish for Kenya and reinforcing East Africa’s continued supremacy in distance running.

Further down the field, Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe finished fourth in 1:00:58, while Kenya’s Solomon Yes claimed fifth in 1:02:07. China’s Jiang Fakun led the home charge in 1:03:09, followed by compatriot Athlete A0012 (1:03:30) and Kenya’s Felix Kiptoo (1:03:39), rounding out a deeply competitive top eight.

The women’s race mirrored the intensity of the men’s contest, unfolding at a relentless pace from the opening kilometers. A tightly packed lead group battled through the heavy air and rising temperatures, but as the race wore on, one athlete began to separate herself with quiet authority.

Miriam Chebet proved unstoppable when it mattered most.

With remarkable composure, the Kenyan gradually broke away from her rivals in the closing stages, her stride remaining fluid and controlled despite the punishing conditions. She powered to victory in 1:06:27, a performance that combined strength, intelligence, and impeccable timing. Once she made her निर्णसive move, there was no response—her command of the race was absolute.

Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray Bezabh ran a determined race to secure second place in 1:07:02, holding firm under pressure. Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui finished strongly to take third in 1:07:15, completing a highly competitive podium.

Ethiopia’s Wede Belew placed fourth in 1:07:38, maintaining consistency throughout, while compatriot Megertu Alemu Kebede finished fifth in 1:09:42. Uganda’s Stella Chesang followed closely in sixth with 1:09:45, as China’s Tsering Tsomo (1:10:10) and Zheng Xiaoqian (1:10:52) completed the top eight, highlighting the event’s international depth.

Held on March 29, 2026, the Yangzhou Half Marathon once again delivered a spectacle of world-class distance running, where brutal conditions only amplified the quality of competition. From Matata’s record-breaking brilliance to Chebet’s commanding triumph, the event became a powerful testament to endurance, excellence, and the unyielding spirit of elite athletes.

In the face of extreme adversity, they did more than compete—they redefined it.

Abhishek Pal and Seema Yadav lead Indian runners

New Delhi, October 12, 2025 — Kenya’s Alex Nzioka Matata and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk delivered commanding performances to sweep the men’s and women’s crowns at the 20th Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label event. It marked only the second Kenyan double in race history, the first coming in 2006.

Matata, runner-up in 2024, dominated from midway, running solo to victory in 59:50, his fifth half-marathon win of the year. The RAK Half Marathon champion, who boasts a 59:20 personal best, led through 10K in 28:43 alongside compatriot Reuben Rono before breaking clear. Ethiopia’s Bayelign Teshager (1:00:22) and Kenyan James Kipkogei (1:00:25) completed the podium.

“Last year I was number two, so my goal was to do better,” Matata said. “The weather was good, I knew the course, and I ran without pressure—just to win.”

In the women’s race, Rengeruk used her experience to outkick Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Melal Biratu in a thrilling sprint, clocking 1:07:20 to win by one second. Fellow Ethiopian Mulat Tekle took third in 1:07:28. The 2023 champion Alemaddis Eyayu finished seventh (1:10:51).

“It was tough, but I felt strong and told myself to stay patient and fight to the finish,” said Rengeruk, who recently returned from injury.

Biratu, pleased with her debut effort, added: “The humidity was higher than expected, but I’m happy with my personal best.”

Both winners earned US$27,000 from a total prize purse of US$260,000.

Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw secured a third win in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon women's event as Kenya's Alex Nzioka Matata earned men's victory.

Yehualaw, who won the 2022 London Marathon, was well clear by halfway and her finishing time of 65 minutes and 34 seconds in wet and windy conditions left her one minute and 16 seconds clear of compatriot Loice Chemnung.

2021 London Marathon winner Joyciline Jepkosgei was expected to be Yehualaw's main challenger but had to settle for third place a minute and 33 seconds off the pace.

Amid the inclement weather on the 13-mile course in and around Larne, Yehualaw's winning time was well outside her personal best of 63:51.

Yehualaw, 25, thought she had set a new world record in her first run in the Northern Ireland event in 2021 after crossing the line in 63:44 but that time was not ratified after the course was found to be 54 metres short.

In the men's race, Nzioka Matata, 27, produced a brilliant run in the awful weather conditions to break 60 minutes as he clocked 59 minutes and 48 seconds.

The Kenyan's time was only 11 seconds outside his personal best set when he won the Padova Half Marathon in Italy earlier this year.

Nzioka Matata's winning time left 41 seconds ahead of compatriot Hillary Kipkoech (60:29) with Ethiopia's twice Tokyo Marathon winner Birhanu Legese a further one second back in third place.

The winner broke clear of the world's sixth fastest ever marathon runner Legese just after halfway and was never threatened thereafter.

Kenyan Alex Nzioka Matata won the Bucharest Half Marathon held last Sunday, May 12, with a time of one hour, one minute, and four seconds.

Second place was taken by another Kenyan, Chebor Elvis Tabarach, with a time of one hour, four minutes, and three seconds, while third place went to another Kenyan athlete, Kibet Bismark Langat, with a time of one hour, four minutes, and 10 seconds, according to News.ro.

The first Romanian in the ranking was Leonard Mitrică, finishing in fifth place, followed by Alexandru Corneschi, who placed sixth.

The former finished in one hour, seven minutes, and four seconds, while the latter finished in one hour, seven minutes, and 56 seconds. 

In the women's category, the first in the ranking was Rabecca Chepkwemoi from Kenya, who finished the race in one hour, 12 minutes, and nine seconds.

When former athlete Catherine Makau visited the hilly area of Kea in Kitui County to distribute food to athletes in September, 2020 during the height of Covid-19, she was met with extraordinary scenes.

Over 300 athletes turned up for the exercise and it left Catherine’s mind brimming with ideas.

“As a former athlete, I saw potential, this being a high altitude area with lovely weather,” said Catherine, who is the wife of former world marathon record holder, Patrick Makau.

Catherine decided to start an athletics camp in the area in January last year, and the camp that is the latest in the country, now has over 60 athletes both junior and seniors.

Kea Athletics Club is among three that were picked by Athletics Kenya to host holiday camps in the Southern region to prepare juniors for the World Under-20 Championships trials.

The others are Iuani Athletics Club in Makueni County and Talent Discovery and Development Centre, Machakos County.

Catherine is confident that just like Iuani and Machakos, they will be able to not only compete effectively during the trials, but also qualify some athletes for the world event.

Machakos produced seven athletes for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships held last year in Nairobi.

The World Under-20 Athletics Championships are slated for August 1 to 6 this year in Cali, Colombia.

Among the athletes that Catherine singled out from her pool of 20; 10 boys and 10 girls, are the 1,500m runner Josephine Kalekye, who finished fourth in the girls under-18 5km race during the Memorial Agnes Tirop World Athletics Cross Country Gold Tour in February.

Naomi Kimanzi (3,000m), Joshua Kithoku (5,000m), Alexander Matiti (1,500m) are the others with great potential to make Team Kenya.

“I only pray for an injury free season and hope to represent Kenya,” said Kimanzi, who finished seventh in women’s Under-20 6km race during the National Cross Country Championships in January in Eldoret.

“I want to emulate the World 5,9000m champion Hellen Obiri.”

Nelson Mandela (3,000m/5,000m), who finished fourth in men’s 10,000m during the third Athletics Kenya Track and Field Meeting at the Nyayo National Stadium, is among 50 juniors preparing at Iuani hills.

Others are Justus Muasya (1,500m) and Dennis Mutuku (3,000m).

Other juniors not in camp, but likely to make the Iauni team are Emmanuel Lemama and Faith Salome (800m).

Lemama, who finished second in men’s 1,500m to qualify for last year’s world under-20, but was later dropped due to injury, is currently at the Kenya Defence Forces Recruit Training College, while Salome is attending the Elite Youth Camp by the National Olympic Committee at Kenyatta University.

Machakos once again should provide a huge number from Southern to Team Kenya including Peter Kithome, who claimed bronze in 4x400m at the world under-20 and Jonathan Mutua.

Kithome and Mutua are currently with Kenyan juniors receiving specialised training at Miramas Athletics Club in France.

Javelin thrower Christine Musembi looks promising from Machakos alongside Jackline Mikayo (200m), Damaris Nduleve (400m), Agnes Syometi (400m hurdles), Sebastian Sinoti (400m) and Alex Nzioka (3,000m).