Kenya’s Irene Cheptai delivered a masterclass leading a1-2 finish for Kenya at the 2026 Burj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai.
In a race defined by razor-thin margins and the former World Cross Country Champion stopped the clock at 1:06:57, barely holding off fellow countrywoman Daisilah Jerono.
The finish was so close that only two seconds separated the pair, with Jerono crossing the line in 1:06:59 to secure the silver medal.
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Irene Cheptai wins the Burj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai
The competition remained fierce until the final meters, as Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray pushed the Kenyan duo to the limit. Zeray rounded out the podium with a time of 1:07:01, meaning the top three finishers were separated by just four seconds.
The elite women’s pack stayed largely intact throughout the scenic 21.1-kilometer course which famously stretches between the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa, before Cheptai launched a decisive surge in the closing stages to claim the title and the AED 40,000 top prize (Ksh 1.4M.).
This victory marks a significant start to the 2026 season for Cheptai, who has recently been a consistent force on the global stage, including a fourth-place finish at the Boston Marathon.
For the 23-year-old Jerono, the performance was equally noteworthy, as her runner-up finish in such a high calibre field showed her rising status in distance running.
Their performance anchored a successful day for East African athletics, as Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei took the men’s crown in a similarly tight finish just moments earlier.
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In a race that mirrored the dramatic finish of the women’s event, Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir pushed world record holder Joshua Cheptegei to his absolute limit at the 2026 Burj2Burj Half Marathon.
The lead pack maintained a blistering pace throughout the 21.1km course, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats as they approached the finish line at the Burj Khalifa.
Cheptegei eventually used his legendary kick to secure the win in 59:26, but Kipkorir was right on his heels, crossing just two seconds later in 59:28.
The podium was a complete East African sweep, with Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu taking third in 59:30.
