Running News Daily

Ethiopia produced a remarkable double triumph at the 43rd edition of the Athens Marathon – The Authentic, with Manazot Siyum Taferi and Yatane Kormoshe Dusha delivering outstanding performances to win the men's and women's races respectively, both setting new event records on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

The historic marathon, run over the traditional 42.195-kilometre route from the town of Marathon to the iconic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, witnessed exceptional performances from the Ethiopian athletes, who dominated both elite competitions.

In the men's race, Manazot Siyum Taferi delivered a sensational performance, crossing the finish line in 2:10:03 to establish a new course record. The Ethiopian took 31 seconds off the previous mark of 2:10:34, set by Kenya's Edwin Kiptoo in 2023.

Taferi's victory was particularly impressive given the demanding nature of the historic route, which features challenging uphill sections before the spectacular finish inside the legendary Olympic stadium. His performance secured a memorable victory and placed him among the standout names in the event's history.

Fellow Ethiopian Asefa Tefera Mengisa completed an impressive one-two finish for his country, taking second place in 2:10:18, just 15 seconds behind the winner. Kenya's Patrick Ketter Kiplagat secured third position in 2:11:22 after another strong performance on the international stage.

Kenya's Vincent Kipsang Rono finished fourth in 2:12:06, while Eritrea's Nguse Amlosom Tesfaldet completed the top five in 2:12:20. Kenya also had Victor Kipkoech Biwott finishing sixth in 2:14:10, demonstrating the country's strong representation in the men's competition.

MEN'S TOP 10 – ATHENS MARATHON 2026

1. Manazot Siyum Taferi (Ethiopia) – 2:10:03

2. Asefa Tefera Mengisa (Ethiopia) – 2:10:18

3. Patrick Ketter Kiplagat (Kenya) – 2:11:22

4. Vincent Kipsang Rono (Kenya) – 2:12:06

5. Nguse Amlosom Tesfaldet (Eritrea) – 2:12:20

6. Victor Kipkoech Biwott (Kenya) – 2:14:10

7. Adane Nega (Ethiopia) – 2:17:30

8. Konstantinos Stamoulis (Greece) – 2:17:37

9. Charalampos Pitsolis (Greece) – 2:18:58

10. Nikolaos Stamoulis (Greece) – 2:19:05

The women's race delivered another spectacular Ethiopian success, with Yatane Kormoshe Dusha producing a historic performance to capture the title in 2:30:04.

Dusha not only claimed victory but also established a new event record, improving the previous mark of 2:31:06 set by Lithuania's Rasa Drazdauskaitė in 2010. The old record had stood for 16 years, making the Ethiopian's achievement particularly significant.

Her compatriot Tsiyon Abebe Temesgen ensured another Ethiopian one-two finish, crossing the line in 2:30:29, just 25 seconds behind Dusha. The two Ethiopians demonstrated their class over the demanding course, securing the top two positions in a highly competitive women's field.

One of the outstanding performances came from American athlete Jane Jepkemboi Bareikis, who claimed third place in an impressive 2:32:59. Her podium finish prevented a complete Ethiopian sweep of the women's top three and added an international dimension to the competition.

Ethiopia's Atsede Baysa Tesema finished fourth in 2:33:10, while Kenya's Millicent Jemutai Kibet delivered a strong performance to secure fifth place in 2:35:10.

Host nation Greece also had reason to celebrate through Stamatia Noula, who finished sixth in 2:35:13. Her performance was particularly significant as she recorded the fastest time by a Greek woman on the historic Athens Marathon course, surpassing the previous national mark.

Athanasia Kokkorou finished seventh in 2:36:28, followed by Dafni-Eftychia Lavasa in 2:45:06, Georgia Kanouta in 2:45:40 and Xeni Katsimantou Filipopo in 2:46:02, completing the women's top 10.

WOMEN'S TOP 10 – ATHENS MARATHON 2026

1. Yatane Kormoshe Dusha (Ethiopia) – 2:30:04

2. Tsiyon Abebe Temesgen (Ethiopia) – 2:30:29

3. Jane Jepkemboi Bareikis (United States) – 2:32:59

4. Atsede Baysa Tesema (Ethiopia) – 2:33:10

5. Millicent Jemutai Kibet (Kenya) – 2:35:10

6. Stamatia Noula (Greece) – 2:35:13

7. Athanasia Kokkorou (Greece) – 2:36:28

8. Dafni-Eftychia Lavasa (Greece) – 2:45:06

9. Georgia Kanouta (Greece) – 2:45:40

10. Xeni Katsimantou Filipopo (Greece) – 2:46:02

The 43rd edition once again demonstrated why the Athens Marathon remains one of the most historically significant events in international distance running. Its route retraces the legendary journey associated with the origins of the modern marathon, culminating at the magnificent Panathenaic Stadium, where athletes experience a finish unlike any other in the sport.

For Ethiopia, the 2026 edition will be remembered as a remarkable day of distance-running excellence. Taferi and Dusha not only captured the men's and women's crowns but also rewrote the event's record books, leading an impressive national double victory in Athens.

Kenya, meanwhile, secured strong podium representation in the men's competition and a top-five finish in the women's race, ensuring its presence among the leading international contenders.