Running News Daily

South America will be represented by a strong eight-man contingent at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26, with the athletes set to take on one of the deepest and most competitive men’s half marathon fields on Sunday.

The championship will bring together leading road runners from around the world, creating a demanding stage for the South American representatives as they battle for strong championship positions and potentially significant personal breakthroughs.

Bolivia’s Héctor Garibay headlines the group, joined by Colombia’s Mauricio González and Uruguay’s Cristhian Zamora. Peru will be represented by Ferdinand Cereceda, while Brazil has the largest presence with Fabio Jesus Correia, Lucas Paulo Ferreira and Giovani Dos Santos.

Argentina completes the contingent with Marcelo Fabian Manrique, giving South America a diverse eight-man lineup ready to take on the challenge in Copenhagen.

Competing at a World Athletics championship is never simply about chasing a fast time. Championship racing often demands patience, tactical awareness and the ability to respond when the pace changes, particularly when the field contains athletes capable of producing world-class performances.

For the South American runners, Copenhagen offers more than an opportunity to compete for championship honours. It is a chance to test themselves against the very best in the world and measure how far they have progressed on the international stage.

The contingent also brings a fascinating mix of experience, ambition and emerging talent. Each athlete arrives with a different racing background, but they share the same opportunity: to turn months of preparation into one memorable performance on the biggest road-running stage. Against a world-class field, even a small improvement in the closing kilometres could make a significant difference in the final standings.

Copenhagen is therefore set to provide a true test of character as much as fitness. The championship atmosphere, fast competition and relentless pace will demand that the South American runners remain composed from the opening kilometres to the final stretch. If they can execute their race plans and find another level when it matters most, several could leave Denmark with performances that represent important milestones in their careers.

With the pressure of a global championship and the depth of talent expected on the starting line, every kilometre will count. A personal best would be a major achievement, but strong tactical racing and a competitive finish could prove just as valuable.

The eight athletes will now look to arrive in Copenhagen ready to embrace the challenge, with South America hoping to make its presence felt when the world’s best half marathoners take over the streets of the Danish capital. 

May 11, 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark – The 45th edition of the Copenhagen Marathon was the largest in Danish history, with 21,141 registered runners and near-perfect racing conditions—11°C (52F) and no wind. It nearly became the fastest as well, with both men’s and women’s course records just out of reach.

Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfaye claimed victory in the men’s race, stopping the clock at 2:08:25, just two seconds shy of the course record. In the women’s race, Kenyan debutant Sharon Kiptugen ran a stunning 2:23:19, finishing just five seconds off the women’s course best.

Tesfaye, who also won the 2025 Mumbai Marathon, ran a tactical race. After early pacing from Kenya’s Reuben Rono (1:03:43 at halfway), the lead shifted multiple times. Tesfaye and Kenya’s Vincent Mutai battled through the final kilometers, with the 38-year-old Tesfaye pulling away after 40K to win by 44 seconds. “I was aware of the record, but I had pain in my legs and just couldn’t finish faster,” Tesfaye said post-race.

On the women’s side, Kiptugen pulled away after the halfway mark (1:11:27), steadily building a commanding lead over a deep field that included Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia—2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 3000m steeplechase—who finished second in 2:26:21. “I didn’t know I was so close to the record,” Kiptugen said. “But I’m just happy for the win.”

Top Finishers – Men

Berhane Tesfaye (ERI) – 2:08:25

Vincent Mutai (KEN) – 2:09:09 (PB)

Yismaw Atinafu (ETH) – 2:10:32

Top Finishers – Women

Sharon Kiptugen (KEN) – 2:23:19 (PB)

Sofia Assefa (ETH) – 2:26:21

Abebech Afework (ETH) – 2:28:37

Looking ahead, the 2026 Copenhagen Marathon will take place on May 10, with registration opening on May 27, 2025. The next major event in the city is the Copenhagen Half Marathon, scheduled for September 14, 2025, which also serves as a lead-up to the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26—expected to draw up to 65,000 runners.