Running News Daily

Kenyan twin sisters Caroline and Purity Gitonga are preparing to take on a formidable international field at the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich in Spain on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as they look to make their mark on one of the world's premier road-running stages.

The sisters will carry Kenya's hopes into a highly competitive women's race featuring Ethiopian stars Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Tsigie Gebreselama, setting the stage for an exciting showdown over the 21.0975-kilometre distance.

Caroline heads to Valencia in impressive form following a breakthrough season that has elevated her profile on the international road-running circuit. She claimed silver in the women's 5km at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen before continuing her strong campaign with a commanding victory in the 10km race in Castellón, Spain, clocking 29:34.

Her performances have underlined her speed, consistency and growing confidence on the roads. The Valencia Half Marathon, however, presents a different challenge, requiring greater endurance and tactical discipline against some of the world's most accomplished distance runners.

Caroline will be particularly keen to translate her success over shorter distances into a strong performance over the half-marathon distance. With a personal best of 1:06:16, she has already demonstrated considerable ability over 21.1 kilometres and will be looking to build on that foundation against a world-class field.

Purity will join her twin sister on the starting line, adding an intriguing family dimension to Kenya's challenge in Spain. The two athletes have demonstrated their quality on the roads, and their participation in such a competitive race offers another opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage.

Purity also brings valuable experience to the contest, having recorded a half-marathon personal best of 1:06:50. Her presence alongside Caroline gives the Kenyan contingent two capable competitors, each with the potential to produce an impressive performance against the elite opposition.

Standing in their way will be a formidable Ethiopian challenge led by Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Tsigie Gebreselama. Both athletes bring considerable international pedigree, making them important names to watch as the race unfolds. Their presence raises the competitive stakes and ensures the Kenyan sisters will need to deliver their best performances to contend for the leading positions.

The Valencia Half Marathon has established itself as one of the most prestigious races on the international road-running calendar, attracting elite athletes seeking fast times and strong competition. Its reputation makes it an ideal stage for runners looking to test their fitness, challenge their personal bests and measure themselves against the world's leading distance-running talent.

For Caroline, Sunday's race represents an opportunity to build on the momentum generated by her world championship silver medal and impressive Castellón victory. A strong performance would further strengthen her standing among Kenya's emerging road-running stars while demonstrating her potential over the longer distance.

For Purity, the challenge offers an equally important opportunity to make her mark in a race packed with international quality. Competing alongside her twin sister may add a special dimension to the occasion, but both athletes will ultimately be focused on executing their individual race strategies and producing their strongest possible performances.

With Kenya and Ethiopia set to feature prominently in the women's contest, the Valencia Half Marathon promises a compelling battle of speed, endurance and tactical judgment. The quality of the field means that every kilometre could prove decisive as the contenders position themselves for a strong finish.

Kenyan athletics fans will be watching closely to see whether Caroline can carry her outstanding shorter-distance form into the half marathon and how Purity fares against the experienced international opposition. Their participation adds another exciting storyline to a race renowned for its fast pace and elite competition.

As the countdown to Sunday continues, the Gitonga twins will be aiming to turn their preparations into memorable performances on Spanish soil. With Caroline arriving on the back of major international success and Purity bringing her own credentials to the challenge, the sisters will have a valuable opportunity to showcase Kenyan distance-running talent against some of the strongest athletes in the world.

 

The streets of Istanbul are set to ignite this Sunday, April 19, as the 2026 edition of the Istanbul Half Marathon brings together a formidable blend of established stars and emerging contenders. With an 8:00 AM East Africa Time start, anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the fastest and most competitive races of the season.

Men’s Race: Precision, Power and Sub-60 Ambitions

The men’s field reads like a blueprint for speed. Kenya’s Alex Matata leads the conversation with a personal best of 59:11, placing him firmly among the favorites. Close behind is Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, a seasoned competitor with a proven ability to deliver under pressure, boasting a 59:47 mark.

Great Britain’s Callum Hawkins adds depth to the field, matching the symbolic sub-60 barrier with a flat 60:00, while Kenya’s Moses Cheruiyot arrives with identical credentials. The margins grow even tighter with Benard Murkomen and Hillary Kipchumba both hovering at 60:01—clear indicators that this race could be decided in the final strides.

With such closely matched personal bests, the men’s contest is less about who leads early and more about who times their move to perfection. Tactical discipline, pacing, and finishing speed will likely determine the podium.

Women’s Race: Depth, Experience and Continental Pride

The women’s elite field is equally compelling, blending Ethiopian strength with Kenyan resilience. Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray enters with the fastest listed time of 65:12, setting the benchmark for the rest of the field.

Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir (66:01) stands as a serious challenger, while Ethiopia’s Mulat Tekle and Asmarech Anley bring consistency and depth with times in the mid-66 to 67-minute range.

Further strengthening the Ethiopian lineup is Beriha Gebreslasie, while Kenya counters with a trio of experienced names including Purity Gitonga and Rose Chelimo—the latter a globally recognized championship performer.

The presence of Vivian Cheruiyot adds a layer of prestige and experience, as the decorated track icon continues her road racing journey. South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba and Kenya’s Rebecca Chepkemoi complete a field rich in diversity and potential surprises.

A Race Built for Fireworks

Known for its flat, fast course, the Istanbul Half Marathon has a reputation for producing rapid times—and this year should be no exception. With multiple athletes flirting with the one-hour barrier in the men’s race and a tightly packed women’s field, the conditions are ideal for breakthroughs.

Beyond the times, this race represents a broader narrative: the enduring rivalry between Kenyan and Ethiopian distance running powerhouses, now enriched by global contenders eager to disrupt the hierarchy.

As the starting gun fires over the historic skyline of Istanbul, one question will dominate the morning—who will seize control, and who will rise when it matters most?

In a race defined by speed, precision and pride, the crown is wide open.

Matata and Zeray Lead Deep Fields in Istanbul

The Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon returns Sunday, April 20, with two of the most consistent performers in the world over 21.1K leading the way: Kenya’s Alex Matata and Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray.

Matata, the defending champion, owns a personal best of 59:11, while Zeray has run 65:12. Both are proven at this level—but what separates them is consistency. They show up and deliver.

Big Numbers, Strong Race

Organizers have attracted a record 19,000+ athletes, including the 10K. Of those, 7,255will run the half marathon.

The race starts at 9:15 a.m. local time.

Men’s Race: Record Within Reach

Matata is in top form. He ran 59:11 to win in Yangzhou just weeks ago and took this race last year in 59:40 despite tough conditions.

Over the past two years, he has raced the distance 13 times—winning 11.

“I expect a good result and believe I can break the course record.”

Main challengers include: 

Solomon Yego – officially 59:29 (faster on a non-record course)

Shura Kitata – 59:47

Moses Cheruiyot – 60:00 recently in Prague

Turkey’s Ali Kaya (60:16) and Aras Kaya (60:51) headline the national championship.

Women’s Race: Deep and Competitive

The women’s field may be even stronger:

Four under 67:00

11 under 69:00

Zeray arrives in peak form after winning the Paris Half Marathon with a 65:12 course record.

“I like this course and love being in Istanbul. I want to run faster than my PB.”

Top challengers:

Evaline Chirchir – 66:01

Asmarech Anley – rising talent, two wins in two races

Defending champion Miriam Chebet has withdrawn.

Elite Field (Personal Bests)

MEN

Alex Matata (KEN) – 59:11

Solomon Yego (KEN) – 59:29

Shura Kitata (ETH) – 59:47

Moses Cheruiyot (KEN) – 60:00

Benard Murkomen (KEN) – 60:01

Hillary Kipchumba (KEN) – 60:01

Teresa Nyakola (ETH) – 60:12

Ali Kaya (TUR) – 60:16

Shadrack Kipkurui (KEN) – 60:40

Aras Kaya (TUR) – 60:51

Ashenafi Moges (ETH) – 61:22

WOMEN

Ftaw Zeray (ETH) – 65:12

Evaline Chirchir (KEN) – 66:01

Mulat Tekle (ETH) – 66:53

Asmarech Anley (ETH) – 67:01

Beriha Gebreslasie (ETH) – 67:26

Purity Gitonga (KEN) – 67:31

Rose Chelimo (BRN) – 68:08

Wudinesh Alemu (ETH) – 68:08

Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) – 68:16

Glenrose Xaba (RSA) – 68:37

Rebecca Chepkwemoi (KEN) – 68:44 

The Bottom Line

Everything points to a fast race:

Proven winners

Athletes in form

Deep fields

If conditions cooperate, Istanbul could deliver one of the fastest half marathons of the year.

The 21st Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions yet, with defending champions Alex Matata and Miriam Chebet set to return on April 19.

Matata, who leads the men’s field with a personal best of 59:20, has emerged as one of the most consistent half marathoners in the world. Over the past two years, the 28-year-old Kenyan has raced 12 half marathons—and won 10 of them. His victories in Ras Al Khaimah, Istanbul, and New Delhi in 2025 all came under 60 minutes, confirming his status as a major force at the distance. Adding an interesting twist, his twin brother Charles Matata—who owns a 60:05 best—is entered as a pacemaker but could also choose to finish.

The men’s race also features experienced Kenyan Solomon Yego, who ran 59:29 in Barcelona and famously clocked 58:44 in Rome-Ostia in 2016 (on a non-record-eligible course). Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, the 2020 London Marathon champion, brings strong credentials as well, having recently run 2:03:59 to win the Seville Marathon. His half marathon best stands at 59:47, though he has run faster on non-certified courses.

On the women’s side, defending champion Miriam Chebet returns after breaking through in Istanbul last year with a 66:07 personal best. The 23-year-old Kenyan followed that up with a win in Cardiff and has already shown strong early-season form in 2026, including a 30:08 10K in Valencia.

She will face a deep and dangerous field led by Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray, currently the fastest entrant with a 65:12 personal best set while winning the Paris Half Marathon. Zeray has been remarkably consistent, running under 68 minutes nine times in the past two years. Fellow Ethiopian Asmarech Anley also enters as a major contender after winning her debut half marathon in Ras Al Khaimah in 67:22 without pacemakers.

Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir (66:01 PB) adds further depth, while twin sisters Caroline and Purity Gitonga bring a unique storyline to the race. With personal bests of 66:26 and 67:31 respectively, they are among the fastest siblings in the sport and could challenge near the front.

Race organizers expect around 20,000 participants across all events, including a parallel 10K, making it Turkey’s largest and most prestigious road race. The Istanbul Half Marathon continues to hold World Athletics Gold Label status and remains one of the fastest and most scenic courses in Europe.

With elite depth on both sides and intriguing storylines—from defending champions to twin rivalries—Istanbul is once again set to deliver a high-level showdown on April 19.

The traditional Paderborn Easter Run is celebrating its 76th edition on Saturday. Konstanze Klosterhalfen has signed up at short notice and will almost meet the assembled German marathon elite over 10 kilometers.

Among the men, Simon Boch is chasing the first 27s. Station two of the 2024 R5K tour awaits the U20 and U23 talents over 5 kilometers.

What a line-up at the Paderborn Easter Run: With the marathon aces Katharina Steinruck (Eintracht Frankfurt), Fabienne Königstein (MTG Mannheim) and Deborah and Rabea Schöneborn (both SCC Berlin), the 10-kilometer race was on Holy Saturday (March 30th). already well staffed. Konstanze Klosterhalfen (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen), currently the best German runner on this route and the 5,000-meter European champion in Munich 2022, has now announced her participation.

Konstanze Klosterhalfen has her eye on the Olympic standard of 30:40 minutes for the 10,000 meters on the track and wants to show that this mark is already within her reach on the road. Her current best time on the road, set on March 16th when she won in Laredo (Spain), is 31:07 minutes. However, the 27-year-old is only number two on the star list behind the Kenyan Purity Gitonga (PB 30:57 minutes) - although she was significantly slower in her recent triumph in Dresden in 31:40 minutes.

The fastest German runner in the elite field over 10 kilometers is Simon Boch (LG Telis Finanz Regensburg). He narrowly missed his first time of 27 minutes three times in 28:01 and 28:02 minutes respectively. In the wake of the favored Kenyans Vincent Kimutai Towett (PB 27:42 min) and Victor Kiptoo Kimutai (PB 27:52 min), the mark in Paderborn could finally be due. With Velten Schneider (VfL Sindelfingen), the fourth place in the DM also mixes with the road runners over the obstacles. His best time of 29:01 minutes from last year shows that he is in good hands there.

SECOND STOP ON THE R5K TOUR 2024

The prospect of a race under the eyes of the German running elite is certainly a special motivation for the young talents. They will start their five-kilometer lap in Paderborn at 11:00 a.m. in the second race of the R5K Tour 2024 , before the aces led by running star “Koko” Klosterhalfen start their ten kilometers on the super-fast Paderborn course at 12:20 p.m .

There are also well-known names on the start list at the second stop of the R5K tour 2024 to Dresden ( we reported ): Tristan Kaufhold (SSC Hanau-Rodenbach) and Linda Meier (LAV Stadtwerke Tübingen), two running talents, are starting in Paderborn, who will be in the 2023 The opening season of the R5K tour celebrated overall victories in the U20. While the Hessian can defend his title in the U20 this year, the Tübingen native has moved up to the U23. There she will meet again Sonja Lindemann from LG Wedel Pinneberg, with whom she had a duel for the U20 overall victory in the R5K tour in 2023.

MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNERS VERSUS LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS

The female U20 and U23 are strong in this year's R5K tour for young running talent in Germany. At the start of the second race of the racing series initiated by German Road Races (GRR) together with the German Athletics Association (DLV), there are two other runners, Vanessa Mikitenko (SSC Hanau-Rodenbach) and Carolina Schäfer (TG Schwalbach), alongside Linda Meier In 2023, they competed for Germany at the U20 European Championships in Jerusalem.

This also applies to U20 European Championship participant Jan Dillemuth (Königsteiner LV), who is competing in the U23 in Paderborn: “The meeting of middle distance runners like him with runners who otherwise concentrate on long distances is also what makes the five kilometers so appealing race as part of the R5K tour,” says Christian Stork, head of organization for the Paderborn Easter Run. And so it will be particularly exciting to see how last year's winner Tristan Kaufhold will present himself, who, as the German U20 champion over 10 kilometers, improved the German best time for under 20 year olds to 29:40 minutes.

World indoor mile record-holder Yomif Kejelcha stormed to a 26:37 10km win in the northern Spanish town of Laredo on Saturday (16). 

With that performance at the World Athletics Label event, the Ethiopian 26-year-old achieved the third-fastest men's 10km of all time. Only Rhonex Kipruto with his world record of 26:24 set in Valencia four years ago and Berihu Aregawi with his 26:33 run in Laredo last year have gone faster.

Racing under ideal weather conditions on a 15ºC windless afternoon, Kejelcha was perfectly paced by his fellow Ethiopian Addisu Yihune, himself the reigning world U20 5000m champion. They went through the opening kilometres at a steady 2:38 pace, the tempo needed to attack the world best.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei travelled a few metres behind in the company of his own pacemaker, his compatriot Naman Kipyeko, but the world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder began to lose ground some six minutes into the race. By the third kilometre, Kejelcha became a virtual victor as he had built a seven-second gap on the Ugandan, with 7:54 and 8:01 their respective times at that point.

Despite being well on schedule to challenge the world record, Kejelcha overtook Yihune before reaching the fourth kilometre and from then on it was a solo run by the two-time world indoor 3000m champion, who went through halfway in a promising 13:10. Cheptegei ran nine seconds in arrears in the company of Yihune. 

Over the second half, Kejelcha maintained a frantic rhythm in the 2:38/2:40 per kilometre range to increase his advantage on Cheptegei.

Over the closing two kilometres, Kejelcha could not maintain the pace on his own and despite his huge effort he romped home 13 seconds shy of the coveted mark and four seconds off the Ethiopian record. As for Cheptegei, the 27-year-old finished in 26:53, his third-quickest time and 15 seconds slower than the then world record of 26:38 he set in Valencia in December 2019. 

Surprisingly, the 20-year-old pacemaker Yihune completed the race in a massive lifetime best of 27:28.

“I came to Laredo to break the world record but it was not possible,” said Kejelcha. “I felt some discomfort in my hip around the eighth kilometre and could not maintain my speed.”

As for Cheptegei, the Olympic 5000m champion confirmed his main goal was to get the Olympic 10,000m standard of 27:00 and he expressed his happiness at having reached that target two weeks before he competes at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade.

Klosterhalfen prevails 

Held alongside the men’s race, the women’s event featured Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen as the favourite. The European 5000m champion dropped out during her last race, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, three weeks ago and was trying to bounce back in Laredo with the main target of getting the qualifying time for the 10,000m at the Paris Olympics (30:40). 

Running in a group alongside male athletes, the 27-year-old started at a brisk pace and covered the opening kilometres at a tempo of around 3:00 per kilometre to go through halfway in 15:07, well on schedule for her target. Kenya’s Purity Gitonga travelled in second, five seconds back, and Spanish 3000m steeplechase record-holder Irene Sanchez-Escribano was third in 15:32.

Over the second half of the race all the main contenders slowed down their speed as Klosterhalfen began to falter dramatically inside the closing kilometre. That saw her lose any chance of achieving the entry standard for Paris but she still achieved a PB of 31:07.

Gitonga finished runner-up in 31:24 and Sanchez-Escribano ran a massive lifetime best of 31:35 for third.

Athletics Kenya (AK) have set aside Sh500,000 ($4672US) as prize money for the National Mountain Running Championships due Sunday in Naivasha.

AK Mountain Running coordinator, Peter Angwenyi, disclosed Tuesday that the prize money will be for the senior men 10km, senior women 8km and junior men's 8km races.

The winner in the men's race will pocket Sh 50,000, second-place athletes Sh25,000 and third-placed Sh20,000 in a prize fund that covers top 10 finishers.

The athlete winning the women's race will get Sh30,000, while second and third-placed athletes will go home with Sh24,000 and Sh19,000 respectively. All those finishing in top 10 vanguard will get cash awards.

Junior men winners will get Sh20,000 with those finishing second and third going home Sh15,000 and Sh 10,000 richer respectively.

The races that have attracted 300 athletes will start at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy on Mai Mahiu - Naivasha and end at Flyover.

The demanding course will consist of flat track and steep climbing of 930m and downhill of 330m.

Two-time world champion Lucy Murigi is among the athletes expected for the inaugural National Mountain Championships

Also expected in the women's 8km race is the inaugural 2020 Mount Kenya Mountain Running champion Purity Gitonga from Meru, Esther Waweru, who finished second at the Mount Kenya event, and Theresa Omosa from Kisii among others.

It was during the 2018 World Championships where Murigi, Gitonga, Viola Jelagat (silver) and Joyce Njeru teamed up to win the team title.

Geoffrey Gikoni, who has taken part in a series of mountain running circuits in Europe, is the favourite in the men's 10km race that will have the likes of Mount Kenya Mountain Running champion Emmanuel Bor and Dickson Simba.

Also heading to Longonot are Martin Magu and Denis Kemboi.

Interestingly, World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Leonard Bett has registered for the race.

Also UjENA Fit Club from Thika will field a team of ten.

Angwenyi said registration of the event will be done on Saturday at Kamunyaka Mini Supermarket in Longonot, Beryn Hotel in Naivasha, Run2gether Training Camp in Kiambogo and Kobil Petrol Station in flyover.

All the Covid-19 protocols will be maintained during the one day event.