- Kenyan runners registered encouraging performances over the weekend.
- Kennedy Kimutai led his compatriots to a top three finish in a high profile race that was held in France.
- Sheila Chepkirui ran away with the coveted Nagoya Women’s Marathon title in Japan.
Kenyan road race runners registered mixed performances in various marathons that were held over the weekend in different parts of the world.
Some of the runners who were pre-race favorites like Ruth Chepngetich were shocked by their competitors while others like Sheila Chepkirui delivered.
SportPesa Blog takes a look at how Kenyan athletes performed between March 8 and March 9, 2025.
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Ruth Chepngetich falls short in Lisbon Half Marathon
The reigning full marathon (mixed) world record holder Ruth Chepngetich settled for a second place finish in the 2025 Lisbon Half Marathon that was held on Sunday.
Chepngetich, who clocked 2:09.56 in last year’s Chicago Marathon to become the only woman to run a sub two hour marathon, was beaten by Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama.
Gebreselama ran a brilliant race that saw her cross the finishing line in a course record time of 1:04.21. Her time was more than one minute compared to what Chepngetich clocked. The latter, who is one of the runners that are based in Ngong, stopped the clock at 1:06.20.
In the men’s category, Kenya’s Shadrack Kipkemei (59:49) finished second behind Djibouti’s Abdi Waiss (59:44). Waiss’ compatriot Mohamed Ismail (59:54) settled for third.
Sheila Chepkirui wins the biggest women’s marathon in the world
Elsewhere, Sheila Chepkirui overcame talented runners especially from Japan to bag the 2025 Nagoya Women’s Marathon title.
The Kenya Defence Forces runner took command of the race with about 11 kilometres remaining and went on to cross the finishing line in 2:20.40.
She was followed by Japan’s Sayaka Sato and Kenyan born Bahraini athlete Eunice Chumba, who clocked 2:20.59 and 2:21.35 respectively.
Besides, Chepkirui, Kenya’s Janeth Chepngetich was also involved in the race. She was one of the runners who paced the competitors.
The 2023 African Games 10000m gold medalist revealed after the race that her attention will not shift to the track season.
“Happy to have paced Nagoya Women’s Marathon – 30km in 1:40.20. Not an easy work on a windy day and feeling inspired by everyone who competed today.
Congratulations to Sheila Chepkirui on her victory. It was not easy. Many thanks to my family, teammates, coach and management for the support. Focus shifts to track session,” stated Chepngetich.
Erick Sang leads Kenyan runners to podium sweep at CPC Loop Den Haag Half Marathon
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Erick Sang dazzled in the 2025 NN CPC Loop Den Haag Half Marathon that was staged in the Netherlands on Sunday.
The 24-year-old clocked a personal best time of 59:38 to finish ahead of his fellow Kenyan runners Felix Kibet Masai and Peter Tuitoek Kebenei.
Masai and Kebenei, who were making their half marathon debuts, crossed the finishing line in 1:00.50 and 1:01.03 respectively.
In the women’s category, the title went to Ethiopia’s Mekides Shimeles (1:08.17) with Germany’s Gesa Krause (1:09.46) and Kenya’s Emily Chebet (1:09.47) completing the podium positions.
Kenyans dominate Paris Half Marathon
Finally, Kenyan runners had an amazing outing in the 2025 Semi Marathon de Paris that went down on Sunday, March 8 in France.
Kennedy Kimutai won the title in 1:00.16 ahead of his compatriots Timothy Kosgei and Timothy Kibet, who clocked personal bests of 1:00.22 and 1:00.44.
In the women’s category, the story was the same as Kenya’s Jackline Cherono (1:07.16) escaped with the laurel.
The second position went to Ethiopia’s Muluhabt Tsega (1:08.34) while another Kenyan runner in Christine Kioko (1:09.55) settled for third.
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