Running News Daily

The 2026 Lewa Marathon once again delivered a memorable celebration of endurance, determination, and conservation, with familiar faces rising to the top of the podium after impressive performances on one of Kenya's most demanding marathon courses.

In the men's race, Samson Lemanyan successfully defended his Lewa Marathon title, producing another commanding display to retain his crown. Lemanyan crossed the finish line in 2:27:04, proving once again that he is the man to beat on the rugged terrain of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. His back-to-back triumph highlights both his consistency and ability to master the unique challenges presented by the race.

The women's competition was equally captivating as Lydia Simiyu, an officer with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), emerged victorious with a determined performance. Simiyu powered to the women's title in 2:50:39, delivering a composed and resilient run across the demanding course. Her victory was a fitting moment for one of the country's conservation officers, whose success reflected the spirit of an event that uniquely blends elite athletics with wildlife conservation.

Renowned as one of the world's most distinctive marathons, the Lewa Marathon takes athletes through breathtaking landscapes inhabited by some of Africa's iconic wildlife, making it far more than just a road race. The event continues to attract elite runners and recreational participants alike while raising vital support for wildlife conservation and community development initiatives.

With Lemanyan successfully defending his title in 2:27:04 and Simiyu capturing the women's crown in 2:50:39, the 2026 edition added another memorable chapter to the rich history of the Lewa Marathon, once again showcasing the resilience, talent, and competitive spirit that define Kenyan distance running.

We are just 10 days away from Canada’s largest race weekend: the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Since 2015, this event has also served as the annual Canadian Marathon Championships. This year’s race will feature everything from former champions and national record holders to rising stars looking to make their mark on the 42.2 km distance.

Here’s your cheat sheet for the men’s and women’s elite fields in Toronto.

Canadian men’s field

Andrew Alexander (Toronto): The 25-year-old former NCAA standout won the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon in 62:44. He is coached by Matt Hughes, the Canadian record holder in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, and former Canadian marathoner Dave Reid. Alexander is aiming for a sub-2:10 finish at his hometown marathon.

Thomas Broatch (Vancouver): The reigning Canadian marathon champion. He was the first Canadian across the line last year in his marathon debut (2:16:25). Four months later, Broatch took another shot at the distance, lowering his personal best by more than four minutes at the 2024 Houston Marathon (2:11:54).

Justin Kent (Surrey, B.C.): This will be Kent’s first time competing at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. He ran his PB of 2:13:07 at the 2023 Prague Marathon, earning him a spot on Team Canada’s men’s marathon team for the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Maxime Leboeuf (Gatineau, Que.): Leboeuf finished third at the 2022 Montreal Marathon in 2:24:25. He’s a former graduate of Queen’s University XC program and an avid cross-country skier.

Kieran McDonald (Halifax): McDonald will be making his marathon debut in Toronto. He ran his half-marathon best of 65:45 at the 2024 Houston Half Marathon in January.

Alex Neuffer (Stratford, P.E.I.): Neuffer ran his PB of 2:21:34 at the 2022 Boston Marathon, finishing as one of the top Canadians. He’s a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University’s XC program and a training partner of Kieran McDonald (see above). 

Thomas Nobbs (Vancouver): The 25-year-old will be running his second-career marathon in Toronto. He made his debut in Philadelphia last fall, running 2:19:13. Nobbs finished just off the podium at the 2024 Canadian 10K Championships, in 29:31. He also finished second at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships in Winnipeg in June.

Sergio Ráez Villanueva (Mississauga, Ont.): Ráez Villanueva has competed at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon for the last two years. He set his best of 2:18:04 here in 2022 (his marathon debut). Ráez Villanueva is self-coached and also coaches youth athletes in his hometown of Mississauga.

Tristan Woodfine (Cobden, Ont.): Coached by former Canadian Olympic marathoner Reid Coolsaet. Woodfine won the half marathon here in 2022. He has the fastest time among Canadian men in the field, with a PB of 2:10:39 from Houston earlier this year.

International men’s field

Elvis Cheboi (Kenya): Cheboi ran his personal best of 2:09:20 to win the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. (Reigning champion)

Mulugeta Uma (Ethiopia): Uma ran 2:05:33 to win the 2024 Paris Marathon in April. He has the fastest personal best in the men’s field.

Abdi Fufa (Ethiopia): Fufa finished just off the podium at the 2024 Dubai Marathon in January (2:06:23). He ran his PB of 2:05:57 at the Siena Marathon in 2021 (where he was second). The 29-year-old is looking for his first marathon win.

Hailu Zewdu (Ethiopia): The 29-year-old ran his PB of 2:06:31 at the Dubai Marathon in 2020. He has not broken 2:09:00 in his six marathons since.

Gizealew Ayana (Ethiopia): Ayana is the youngest elite athlete in the field–he’s only 21. He ran his PB of 2:07:15 to win the 2023 Paris Marathon in his debut at the distance.

Domenic Ngeno (Kenya): The 26-year-old is the fastest Kenyan marathoner in the Toronto field. He won the 2024 L.A. Marathon in March in 2:11:01. Ngeno’s PB of 2:07:26 was from a podium finish at the 2023 Eindhoven Marathon in the Netherlands.

Noah Kipkemboi (Kenya): A veteran of the marathon distance. The 31-year-old has competed at more than 10 marathons in his career. He podiumed at the Enschede Marathon earlier this year, with a time of 2:09:06. 

Brian Kipsang (Kenya): Kipsang arrives in Toronto fresh off a personal best at the 2024 Milan Marathon in March, where he placed second in 2:07:56. The 30-year-old has finished in the top five at three of his last four races. 

Abe Gashahun (Ethiopia): Gashahun has the fastest half-marathon personal best in the field of 59:46. He’s had success at shorter distances and cross country, but it hasn’t yet translated to the marathon. The 26-year-old ran 2:08:51 earlier this year in Saudi Arabia.

Sydney Gidabuday (U.S.A.): Former member of Adidas Tinman Elite Track Club in Colorado. Gidabuday made his marathon debut on Canadian soil at the 2023 Ottawa Marathon, where he finished ninth. His PB of 2:14:34 was run at the hilly NYC Marathon in 2023.

Yusuf Nadir (U.S.A.): Personal best of 2:15:27 from the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn. He finished 25th at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February.

Aidan Reed (U.S.A.): Also made his marathon debut at the 2023 Ottawa Marathon–2:20:23. Reed ran collegiately at Southern Utah University, following in the footsteps of Canadian marathon record holder Cam Levins.

Canadian women’s field

Kate Bazeley (St. John’s, N.L.): The 40-year-old ran her PB of 2:36:35 in Toronto in 2019. Earlier this year, Bazeley represented Team Canada at the World XC Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Anne-Marie Comeau (Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que.): The 2018 Canadian (winter) Olympian ran her marathon best of 2:34:51 in Toronto last year, crossing the line as the second Canadian woman.

Asia Dwyer (Toronto): Dwyer ran her personal best of 2:42:45 at the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon last fall. She told Canadian Running in an interview for the November/December 2024 issue of the print magazine that she is looking to smash her previous best.

Rachel Hannah (Port Elgin, Ont.): Hannah was the top Canadian finisher at the 2024 Ottawa Marathon in May. She won a bronze medal for Canada at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto. She ran her personal best of 2:32:09 was at the 2016 Houston Marathon.

Liza Howard (Toronto): Howard told Canadian Running in an interview that her goal is to reach the podium and run a personal best. Howard ran her current personal best of 2:35:29 at the 2022 Chicago Marathon. She has unofficially broken the Canadian women’s 50K record, twice, in her marathon build for this race.

Erin Mawhinney (Hamilton): The 28-year-old runner will be making her marathon debut in Toronto. She is coached by two-time Canadian Olympian Reid Coolsaet. She broke the tape at the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon last year, running a PB of 1:13:50.

Melissa Paauwe (Calgary). Paauwe is carrying the pride of Calgary into Toronto. She ran her PB of 2:41:12 at the 2023 Chicago marathon, and finished as the top Canadian.

Leslie Sexton (Markham, Ont.): Sexton returns to Toronto to run her hometown marathon. She said she will be trying to qualify for Worlds in Tokyo next year. She set her PB of 2:28:14 at the 2024 Houston Marathon this year, but missed the Olympic standard by two minutes.

Natasha Wodak: (Vancouver) started her marathon career here in 2013 but has not returned until this year; has never won the championship. Her PB of 2:23:12 from the 2022 Berlin Marathon stands as the current Canadian record.

International women’s field

Waganesh Mekasha (Ethiopia): Has a personal best of 2:22:45  from the 2019 Dubai Marathon. The 32-year-old Ethiopian won the 2023 Ottawa Marathon and finished second in Toronto last fall, with a time of 2:23:12.

Afera Godfay (Ethiopia): Godfay finished third behind compatriots Buze Diriba and Mekasha (see above) last year. She has a personal best of 2:22:41 and has finished in the top five in four of her last five marathons.

Roza Dejere (Ethiopia): The 27-year-old Ethiopian has the fastest personal best in the women’s field (2:18:30). She finished fourth in the women’s marathon at the Tokyo Olympic Games. She comes to Toronto as a threat to the course record of 2:22:16, which was set in 2019.

Meseret Gebre (Ethiopia): Gebre hasn’t raced since Toronto last fall, where she finished seventh in 2:29:54. She set her PB of 2:23:11 to win the Barcelona Marathon in 2022.

Valentina Matieko (Kenya): One of two Kenyan women in the international elite field. Matieko comes to Toronto fresh off a personal best earlier this year at the Paris Marathon in April (2:24:21).

Lydia Simiyu (Kenya): Simiyu ran her PB of 2:25:10 earlier this year at the Rome Marathon. She served a six-month doping suspension in 2022 after she tested positive for chlorthalidone after the Poznan Half Marathon in Poland.

Rediet Daniel (Ethiopia): Two top-five finishes in her three professional marathon starts. The 24-year-old Ethiopian ran her personal best of  2:26:25 at the 2024 Doha Marathon in February.

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, to be held on Oct. 20, is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). Since 2017, the race has also served as the Athletics Canada marathon championship and Olympic trials.

The marathon of Rome, which took place today among the wonders of the eternal city, was a record-breaking event and dedicated to water. The Acea Run Rome the Marathon, in fact, is the first marathon dedicated to water and water saving. The 2024 edition was won by the Kenyans Asbel Rutto, in the men's competition, and Ivyne Lagat, in the women's competition.

The men's podium was completed by the other two Kenyans Brian Kipsang and Sila Kiptoo, while the Kenyan Lydia Simiyu and the Ethiopian Emebet Niguse finished second and third. Deputy general manager operations Giovanni Papaleo presented the award for Acea.

This year the Marathon has chosen "run for water" as its hashtag, to underline the profound connection that unites sport and water and the importance of water resources in protecting people's health and the health of planet Earth.

Along the over 42 kilometers of the race, Acea guaranteed many refreshment points, with around 60 thousand liters of water available to the athletes and over 100 thousand biocompostable glasses, with a view to the circular economy. It was a record race for the number of participants, for the number of foreigners and blessed by the record of the route.

The Rome marathon took place in one of the richest cities in the world in history and art but also in fountains and aqueducts, therefore an ideal place to affirm water as the identifying theme of one of the most important running events at a national level and international.

At the starting line this morning, over 19 thousand registered for the marathon alone, more than 40 thousand people who also ran the "Acea Run4Rome" solidarity relay and the 5 kilometer "Fun Run" city race. Four records have been achieved since the 2024 edition: record number of participants for an Italian marathon, record number of foreign participants, over 10, the record number of official pacers in the race, 200 of which over 100 foreigners from 15 nations and finally the record number of group training sessions, Get Ready, which were 5 in Rome and over 30 around the world, including the United States and Canada. A race route over 42 km long, renewed compared to last year, which from the historic center, starting and finishing on Via dei Fori Imperiali, crossed various points of the capital, among the wonders of the city.

Last kilometer, the arrival is thrilling, tears and heart pounding, the time needed to complete the Colosseum tour for the second time, which the marathon runners have achieved a spectacular finish line on the Imperial Forums with the Colosseum behind them which will also dominate in a unique souvenir photo in the world.

Nairobi City Marathon 42km champion Brimin Misoi will be back on the streets of the Kenyan capital to attempt to defend the title he won in 2022.

The second edition of Africa's richest marathon in terms of winners' prize money will be held on Sunday and will be majorly run on the Expressway.

Misoi, the winner of the 2022 Frankfurt Marathon is full of confidence and believes he has what it takes to defend his title. He said he is currently enjoying top shape and has undergone intensive training.

"I feel great and I believe in my training. I trust my abilities and I believe no one will beat me to the title. Nairobi's altitude is a bit lower compared to Kapkitony, Elgeyo Marakwet County where I train thus making it easier for me to win," he said.

The double Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon winner clocked two hours and 8:03 minutes to win the race in 2022 after breaking off from the leading pack at the 34km mark. 

The 35-year-old had a poor run in Japan at the Tokyo Marathon in March, where he finished 13th in 2:07:36. 

"My target is to defend my title and lower the time I set last year. I target to run sub-2:06:11, which is my PB set in Germany last year,"  Misoi added.

This year's edition has attracted more than 13,000 athletes with the organisers targeting 15,000.

On his quest for title defence, Misoi will be up against a group of elite athletes who have registered for the race.

Among the names to watch out for during the race include Edwin Kemboi with a personal best of 2:06:52 and who finished fourth in this year’s Seoul Marathon in March.

Joshua Kipsang (2:08:09), Simon Kipkosgei (2:07:07), and Robert Kipkemboi (2:07:09) are among the fastest athletes who have also registered for the 42km race.

An Ethiopian quartet led by Haile Mekonnen with a PB of 2:14:13, Maseret Yitbarek (2:11:34), Desta Tafa (2:11:13) and Haile Assefa will also be in the chase for the Sh3.5million winner's purse. 

In the women’s 42km race, Lydia Simiyu (2:25:44), Sheila Chepkoech (2:27:04) and Sharon Cheimo (2:33:03) are among the fastest Kenyans who will battle it out in the women’s 42km race.

Defending champion Agnes Barsosio who clocked 2:24:45 in last year's event pulled out of Sunday's race after picking a hamstring injury in training.

Defending champion Stephen Mokoka claimed a third win in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, while Meseret Dinke broke the race record to win the women’s event on Sunday (16).

Multiple South African champion Mokoka broke the tape in 2:09:59, two seconds faster than his winning 2:10:01 last year and the fourth-fastest winning time in the race’s history. Second place went to Ethiopian Derseh Kindie in 2:11:27, with his compatriot Dagnachew Adere outsprinting Kenya’s Raymond Kipchumba Choge to take third place, 2:11:55 to 2:11:56.

“This was a tough, tough course,” said Mokoka. “Normally at 25km you start enjoying a marathon, but at 28km today, we climbed that hill in District Six and it got really hard for a while, but overall I really enjoyed the race.”

Mokoka ran a world 50km record of 2:40:13 in Gqeberha in March, a record that CJ Albertson took to 2:38:43 eight days ago. Asked what his Cape Town Marathon win means, Mokoka added: “I am delighted to win in Cape Town for a third time. I have won races overseas, too, but this is still special. Records are meant to be broken, but titles stay forever, and this win means more to me than just running a fast time. It’s also about the memories of our runs.”

In the women’s race, Dinke of Ethiopia took top honours in 2:24:04, smashing the 2:25:44 event record run in 2021 by Lydia Simiyu and also improving her personal best of 2:25:12. Second over the line was Tecla Kirongo in 2:27:57, also setting a PB, with her Kenyan compatriot Judith Cherono taking third in 2:30:34.

“I enjoyed the race thoroughly, but unfortunately I had to do it by myself,” said Dinke. “When you run by yourself it is so difficult to control your pacing, but I managed. If everything had been perfect, I had hoped to run a 2:20 or 2:21. The course was a little tougher than other international races, but I was running within myself, and felt confident that I could keep a consistent pace until the end.”

Leading results

Women

1 Meseret Dinke (ETH) 2:24:04

2 Tecla Kirongo (KEN) 2:27:57

3 Judith Cherono (KEN) 2:30:34

4 Zinashwork Yenew (ETH) 2:34:03

5 Webalem Bazanew (ETH) 2:34:24

Men

1 Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 2:09:59

2 Derseh Kindie (ETH) 2:11:27

3 Dagnachew Adera (ETH) 2:11:55

4 Raymond Kipchumba Choge (KEN) 2:11:56

5 Samuel Moloi (RSA) 2:14:39.

Three-time Pune Half Marathon champion Daniel Muindi is eyeing his first marathon win at the eighth Sanlam Cape Town Marathon slated October 17 in South Africa.

The local non-bank finance solutions provider Sanlam Kenya announced sponsoring 18 runners this year up from three in 2019.

Speaking on Tuesday in Nairobi, 27-year-old Muindi exuded confidence about being on the podium in the only gold label marathon in Africa after finishing second as a rabbit in 2019.

“My target is to win and improve my personal best to 2:07 from 2:09:25 I registered at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon when I finished behind my compatriot Edwin Koech. I have been training for four months and I’m in great shape for the race. I know it’s going to be a very competitive race, but I promise to bring wonderful results,” said Muindi while receiving the national flag from the Sanlam Kenya Group CEO Nyamemba Tumbo on Tuesday.

Muindi, who has bagged half marathon titles in Pila, Warsaw and Wroclaw in Poland before, leaves the country on Wednesday.

All other runners from Kenya sponsored by Sanlam are scheduled to fly to Cape Town on Friday morning.

Tumbo noted that other runners were sorting out their travel documents. All runners are required to be fully vaccinated for coronavirus.

He affirmed the company’s commitment towards nurturing sporting talent in the country and enabling the growth of promising athletic careers.

“Kenya is known as the home of champion athletes, and Sanlam Kenya is proud to have these elite athletes representing our beloved country at the eighth edition of the Sanlam Cape Town marathon. We recognise the wholesome power of sports in enabling the progress of society. It supports livelihoods and nurtures talent. This is our promise as Sanlam Kenya, to be the partner to help you get through life. We strive to ensure that we innovate our products and services to serve you throughout all the stages of your life,” he added.

Other members of the Kenyan contingent to the eighth Sanlam Cape Town Marathon are William Yegon, Alex Saekwo, Cosmas Kyeva, Robert Chemosin, Joseph Kachapi, Kenneth Korir, Reuben Kemboi, Eliud Kiptanui, Samwel Maswai, Jonathan Chesoo, Emmanuel Ngatuny, Stella Jepkosgei, Esther Macharia, Chelagat Elizabeth, Joyce Jemutai, Lydia Simiyu, and Lucy Karimi.

Top-three finishers will pocket Sh1.4 million, Sh740,000 and Sh370,000 respectively.

In 2019, Sanlam Kenya sponsored Victor Onditi, Kennedy Ochieng’ and Lorin Otieno.

Tumbo revealed that the Kenyan team are fully-sponsored by the corporate which will cater for their air tickets, accommodation, running gear, meals and an accompanying physiotherapist.

The national team will receive their Covid-19 tests in a 48-hour window before the race.

The marathon will also include two new trail runs of 46km and 22km as well as three virtual runs of 5km, 10km and 21km.