Running News Daily

Kenya produced a commanding display on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, as Deborah Chemutai led a clean sweep of the women’s podium at the 2026 Absa Joburg 10K.

Chemutai delivered a strong winning performance to cross the finish line first in 32:50, securing victory and leading a remarkable Kenyan one-two-three in the South African road race.

She was followed by compatriot Mercy Chelimo, who battled her way to second place in 33:10, while Esther Borura completed the Kenyan domination by taking third in 33:27.

The result highlighted Kenya’s depth in women’s road running, with all three podium positions occupied by athletes from the East African distance-running powerhouse.

Chemutai’s victory was the centerpiece of an impressive Kenyan performance, as she maintained her advantage to claim the top step of the podium in Johannesburg. Chelimo and Borura ensured the Kenyan dominance extended through the leading positions, completing a memorable sweep.

The margin between the three Kenyans also made the podium battle particularly compelling. Chelimo finished just 20 seconds behind Chemutai, while Borura was another 17 seconds adrift, producing a closely packed Kenyan presence at the sharp end of the race.

Beyond the individual victory, the result underlined the remarkable depth available in Kenyan women’s road running. Producing the winner is one achievement, but occupying all three podium places demonstrates how strongly the country continues to feature when elite road races bring together talented distance runners.

For Chemutai, the Johannesburg triumph provided a memorable addition to her racing campaign, while Chelimo and Borura completed a result that will stand out from the 2026 edition of the Absa Joburg 10K. Together, the trio turned the women’s podium into a celebration of Kenyan running strength.

Women’s 10km Results

1. Deborah Chemutai (Kenya) — 32:50

2. Mercy Chelimo (Kenya) — 33:10

3. Esther Borura (Kenya) — 33:27

The Johannesburg finish therefore belonged entirely to Kenya, with Chemutai, Chelimo and Borura combining to produce a flawless podium sweep and underline the depth of Kenyan talent in the 10km road-racing scene.

Esther Borura was banned due to the Presence of a Prohibited Substance (19-norandrosterone) and the Use of a Prohibited Substance (Nandrolone or Nandrolone. precursors).

The Athletics Integrity Unit has slapped Esther Birundu Borura with a three-year ban for an anti-doping rule violation.

Borura’s ban backdates to September 6, 2023, and will run to 2026. She was banned due to the Presence of a Prohibited Substance (19-norandrosterone) and the Use of a Prohibited Substance (Nandrolone or Nandrolone precursors).

The AIU also noted that the 23-year-old’s results since June 30, 2023, have been disqualified. On June 30, 2023, Borura provided a urine sample, Out-of-Competition in Iten, Kenya, which was given code 7184933.

On August 22, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Doha, Qatar reported an Adverse Analytical Finding in the Sample.

“The AIU reviewed the Adverse Analytical and determined that Borura did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) that had been granted (or that would be granted) for the 19-Norandrosterone consistent with exogenous origin found in the Sample.

There was no apparent departure from the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (“ISTI”) or from the International Standard for Laboratories (“ISL”) that could reasonably have caused the Adverse Analytical Finding,” the AIU statement read in part.

On September 7, Borura requested for an interview with the AIU through her Athletes’ Representative.

As reported by the AIU, on September 13, they (AIU) asked the Athlete to provide a written summary of her explanation and the information that she wished to provide in the interview.

“On 15 September 2023, the Athletes’ Representative provided the AIU with the Athlete’s summary explanation, which set out that the Athlete waived her rights to have the B Sample analysed and to request the LDP, admitted to having committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations, had purchased prohibited substances in April 2023, and been injected in May 2023.

Averred that this was the only time that she had used prohibited substances. On 26 September 2023, the Athlete attended an interview with AIU representatives and provided additional information in relation to her explanation (as summarised above),” the statement further noted.

Reigning Istanbul Half Marathon champion Purity Komen is among the four Kenyans who have been provisionally suspended by AIU.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has announced the provisional suspension of nine athletes, four being Kenyans.

Reigning Istanbul Half Marathon champion Purity Komen has found herself in hot soup for the presence of a Prohibited Substance (Norandrosterone) and evading Sample Collection. A notice of allegation has been issued to the 25-year-old.

The 2018 Bali Marathon champion Rebecca Korir has also been suspended for the presence of a Prohibited Substance (Methylprednisolone) and a notice of charge has been issued to her.

Another Kenyan to make it to the list of shame is James Karanja who has been suspended for the use of the Prohibited Substance (Norandrosterone) and a notice of allegation has been issued to him.

23-year-old Esther Borura has also been provisionally suspended for the use of the Prohibited Substance (Norandrosterone) and a notice of allegation has also been issued to her.

In a post on their X (Twitter) handle, AIU said: “The AIU has today published provisional suspensions for the following nine athletes (some back-dated from July until now): Yousef Mohammed Al-Asiri (Saudi Arabia), Rebecca Jepchirchir Korir (Kenya), John Hakizimana (Rwanda) and James Gikunga Karanja (Kenya).

Vilmante Stašauskaitė (Lithuania), Farida Soliyeva (Uzbekistan), Esther Birundu Borura (Kenya), John Tello Zuniga (Colombia) and Purity Temutai Komen (Kenya).”

According to AIU, a Provisional Suspension is when an Athlete or other Person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw clocked 29:19 at the Valencia 10K Ibercaja to come within five seconds of her own world record, while Kenya’s Weldon Kipkirui Langat won in 26:55 in a thrilling finish against compatriot Charles Langat at the World Athletics Label road race in the Spanish city on Sunday (15).

Paced by her compatriots Genetu Molalign Yehualaw and Tolcha Guta Beyene, Yehualaw opted for a conservative start, unlike last year in Castellón when she set the current world record of 29:14. The opening 2km was covered in 5:56 with Kenya’s Jesca Chelangat still running at Yehualaw’s shoulder.

The pace increased slightly in the third kilometre as they reached 3km in 8:51; shortly afterwards Chelangat began to lose ground on Yehualaw as the Ethiopian passed through 4km alone in 11:52, a strong headwind contributing to the slowest kilometre of the race. The world half marathon bronze medallist went through halfway in 14:47, 19 seconds down on her half-way split from her world record run.

Chelangat was eight seconds behind the leader at half way, but a comfortable nine seconds ahead of Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat. Kenyan duo Esther Borura and Naomi Chpngeno were another five seconds adrift (15:09).

Yehualaw increased her pace during the second half, covering most kilometres in 2:53-2:54 and reaching 8km in 23:29. After another swift 2:53 kilometre, the Ethiopian was unable to maintain that same cadence over the final kilometre but still held on to finish in 29:19, the second-fastest 10km performance in history.

Further back, Jeska Chelangat finished just outside the 30-minute barrier (30:01) with Borura completing a quality podium in 30:15. Sarah Chelangat set a Ugandan record of 30:24 in fourth, 16 seconds ahead of Chepngeno (30:40). Britain’s Samantha Harrison was sixth in 30:51.

The 23-year-old Yehualaw commented she was a bit disappointed for not having broken the world record but satisfied with her brave effort.

The men’s race kicked off at a relatively brisk pace, the opening kilometres covered in 2:38 and 2:39. The pacemaker dropped out just before the 3km (7:57) and the pace decreased slightly, so Lagat and Kenya’s world 5000m silver medallist Jacob Krop moved to the front in a bid to keep the pace alive. By halfway (13:30), nine men were still in contention for victory.

Despite the annoying headwind over the following kilometres, Krop and Langat managed to maintain a swift cadence in the 2:43/2:45 kilometre range, with Charles Langat always tucked behind them. During the long final straight, Charles Langat tried to overtake Weldon Langat but the latter held off his challenge and crossed the line victorious in 26:55 to equal his PB.

Charles Langat set a massive lifetime best of 26:57 while Daniel Kosen took third in 27:01, an 18-second improvement on his career best. Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera placed fourth (27:04) and Krop was given the same time for fifth.

“I’m delighted with my win,” said Langat. “I pushed hard throughout, looking for a fast time, and my tactic paid off.”

Langat missed out on making the Kenyan team for the World Cross Country Championships, so his next outing will be at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on 18 February. He’ll then turn his attention to making the Kenyan 10,000m team for the World Championships in Budapest.

Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics

Leading results

Women1 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 29:192 Jesca Chelangat (KEN) 30:013 Esther Borura (KEN) 30:154 Sarah Chelangat (UGA) 30:245 Naomi Chepngeno (KEN) 30:406 Samantha Harrison (GBR) 30:517 Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN) 31:058 Brenda Tuwei (KEN) 31:209 Stella Chesang (UGA) 31:3310 Alemaz Samuel Teshale (ETH) 31:39

Men1 Weldon Langat (KEN) 26:552 Charles Langat (KEN) 26:573 Daniel Kosen (KEN) 27:014 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 27:045 Jacob Krop (KEN) 27:046 Rogers Kibet (UGA) 27:077 Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (SSD) 27:098 Laban Kiplimo (KEN) 27:159 Richard Kimunyan Yator (KEN) 27:3210 Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN) 27:34

The 14th edition of one of the world’s top road races over this distance will be held this coming Sunday 15 May.

Prestigious additions to those already named – Muktar Edris, Kibiwott Kandie and Tadese Worku in the men’s race; Hellen Obiri, Irene Cheptai and Joyce Tele in the women’s race – include Kenya’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games 10,000m silver medallist Paul Tanui and his compatriot Nicolas Kipkorir Kimeli, who was fourth in the 5000m at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last summer.

Tanui’s road racing record is rather modest, his personal best of 28:39 was when he finished sixth in the 2019 TCSW10K, but on the track the Japan-based runner has an outstanding record and has a best of 26:49.41. In addition to his Rio silver medal, Tanui has three World Athletics Championships 10,000m bronze medals to his name as well as a World Cross Country Championships silver medal.

His younger compatriot Kipkorir Kimeli was the 2017 African U20 10,000m champion on the track and will arrive in Bengaluru in very good shape after running 12:55 for 5km on the road last month.

Fellow Kenyan Bravin Kipkogei succeeded Kipkorir Kimeli as the African U20 10,000m champion in 2019 and made a big impression when he finished sixth in the famous 2020 Valencia Half Marathon, in which Kandie set a world record of 57:32, despite having been originally employed as a pacemaker.

Kipkogei has raced sparingly in 2021 and 2022 but has the pedigree to make an impact in Bengaluru.

A third notable Kenyan addition to the men’s field is Matthew Kimeli, who ran 58:43 for the half marathon last year and has already had three outings over that distance in 2022, culminating in a win in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 59:30 just nine days ago

Another man in great shape at the moment is the 2015 world U20 cross country champion Yasin Haji, from Ethiopia who has twice run 27:00 for 10km in recent weeks, firstly in the French city of Lille in March and then in Herzogenaurach.

In total eight men in this year’s TCSW10K have run faster – either on the track or the roads – than Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor course record of 27:44 that dates from in 2014

In the women’s race, a number of young and very talented road runners from Kenya and Ethiopia have been added to the elite field to challenge the three well-known names that have already been announced.

Faith Cherono, from Kenya is just 19 and had a sensational international debut less than two months ago when she stunned onlookers with a superb win over 10km in Lille in 31:06. She followed that up by improving to 30:50 in Herzogenaurach.

Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Nigsti is only two seconds slower than Cherono over 10km and has been in good form in half marathons recently, clocking a personal best of 1:06:17 in Valencia last October and going close to that mark twice in March, her only two races in 2022 before the TCSW10K.

Seven women in this year’s TCSW10K have personal bests quicker than the course record of 31:19 set by Kenya’s Agnes Tirop in 2018.

The TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2022 has a total prize fund of US$210,000, with the men’s and women’s winners taking home US$26,000 and course record bonuses of an additional US$8,000 on offer. “The world has had to wait three years because of the pandemic since the last TCS World 10K. This is the 14th edition of this fantastic race, and I am feeling very honoured because many of the world’s best distance runners have committed to coming back to India to make this one of the best events in the world over this distance,” commented Vivek Singh, joint managing director of race promoters Procam International.

TCSW10K Bengaluru 2022 elite fields (with 10km personal best times) Men Muktar Edris (ETH) 27:17 Paul Tanui (KEN) 26:49 (10,000m on the track) Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 26:50 Tadese Worku (ETH) 26:56 Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (KEN) 26:58 Yasin Haji (ETH) 27:00 Bravin Kipkogei (KEN) 27:12 Mathew Kimeli (KEN) 27:11 Abel Sikowo (UGA) 27.47 Telahun Bekele (ETH) 27:53 Reynold Kipkorir (KEN) debut Emmanuel Kiprop (KEN) debut

Women Hellen Obiri (KEN) 30:24 Irene Cheptai (KEN) 30:44 Faith Cherono (KEN) 30:50 Tesfaye Nigsti (ETH) 30:52 Joyce Tele (KEN) 30:59 Esther Borura (KEN) 31:02 Faith Chepkoech (KEN) 31:03 Pauline Esikon (KEN) 32:17 Lomi Muleta (ETH) debut Tariku Alemitu (ETH) debut Yitayish Mekonene (ETH) debut

In addition to the TCS World 10K for elite runners, there is an Open 10K, the Majja Run (5km) the Senior Citizens’ Race and the Champions with Disability Race (both 4.2km).