Running News Daily

Ethiopia’s Kasegn Alemtsehay Asefa produced a brilliant performance at the 2026 Mexico City Marathon, winning the women’s race in 2:29:30 and leading an impressive Ethiopian clean sweep of the podium.

Asefa mastered the demanding 42.195-kilometre course through the Mexican capital, holding her form in an environment where altitude can make an already difficult marathon considerably more challenging. The race is staged at approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, meaning athletes have to contend with thinner air throughout the contest.

Despite those demanding conditions, Asefa looked in control and eventually crossed the finish line in 2:29:30, securing a convincing victory and adding another notable chapter to Ethiopia’s strong tradition in distance running.

Her compatriots Gebremedhin Alema and Tefera Mekashu completed the Ethiopian domination, finishing second and third respectively. Alema stopped the clock at 2:32:23, while Mekashu followed in 2:34:04, giving Ethiopia all three places on the women’s podium.

Peru’s Saida Meneses was the leading athlete outside Ethiopia, running an excellent 2:34:41 for fourth place. Her performance also made her the top South American woman in the race, narrowly missing the podium after finishing just 37 seconds behind Mekashu.

Kenya was represented inside the top six by Dorine Jerop, who produced a strong 2:36:32 to finish sixth.

Mexico’s leading runners followed behind the international contenders, with Margarita Hernandez finishing seventh in 2:46:14, followed by Estefany Rodriguez in 2:50:04. Ines Sarate Gil placed ninth in 2:55:20, while Micaela Rayo Reyes completed the top 10 in 2:55:58.

2026 Mexico City Marathon — Women's Top 10

  1. Kasegn Alemtsehay Asefa — Ethiopia — 2:29:30

  2. Gebremedhin Alema — Ethiopia — 2:32:23

  3. Tefera Mekashu — Ethiopia — 2:34:04

  4. Saida Meneses — Peru — 2:34:41

  5. Gerefa Hailu — Ethiopia — 2:36:05

  6. Dorine Jerop — Kenya — 2:36:32

  7. Margarita Hernandez — Mexico — 2:46:14

  8. Estefany Rodriguez — Mexico — 2:50:04

  9. Ines Sarate Gil — Mexico — 2:55:20

  10. Micaela Rayo Reyes — Mexico — 2:55:58

The women’s race ultimately belonged to Ethiopia, with four of the top five finishers representing the East African distance-running powerhouse. Asefa’s winning performance was the highlight, but the depth shown by her compatriots made the result even more impressive.

The Mexico City Marathon is unlike many other major city marathons because of its extraordinary elevation. At more than 2,200 metres above sea level, maintaining marathon pace requires not only physical strength but also careful management of effort and oxygen demand. Asefa’s ability to produce a 2:29:30 under those circumstances makes her victory particularly noteworthy.

For Asefa, the reward was a memorable victory on one of the world's most distinctive marathon courses. For Ethiopia, it was an emphatic statement of strength, with the country sweeping the entire women's podium in Mexico City.