Running News Daily

The 2026 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon delivered a spectacular celebration of international distance running on Sunday, October 18, with Kenya dominating the men’s race and Ethiopia claiming victory in the women’s contest.

Kenya’s Charles Mbatha Matata produced the standout performance of the day, storming to victory in a provisional course-record time of 58:52. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Wudinesh Alemu Keneni demonstrated remarkable composure to win the women’s race in 1:06:35, holding off a strong Kenyan challenge on the streets of New Delhi, India.

Matata’s triumph was particularly special because it continued a remarkable family story at the prestigious Indian road race. The Kenyan distance runner took control of the men’s contest and crossed the finish line in 58:52, lowering the previous course record of 58:53 set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020.

Beyond the record-breaking performance, Matata had another reason to celebrate. His twin brother, Alex Matata, won the same race in 2025, meaning the coveted Delhi title has remained in the family for two consecutive editions.

Different year, same family, and another moment of Kenyan glory. Charles has now joined his twin brother as a Delhi Half Marathon champion, creating a memorable chapter in the event’s history and highlighting the Matata family’s growing legacy in international road racing.

Charles’ achievement was complemented by a commanding Kenyan performance across the men’s field. Samwel Nyamai Mailu secured second place in 59:24, while Stanley Waithaka Mburu completed the podium in 59:33, giving Kenya a clean sweep of the top three positions.

Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese Gurmesa was the leading non-Kenyan finisher, placing fourth in 1:00:33. He was followed closely by Kenya’s Samwel Chebolei Mosai, who clocked 1:00:34, while Ethiopia’s Negasa Dekeba Bikela completed the top six in 1:00:36.

The men’s race results underlined Kenya’s remarkable depth in distance running, with three athletes occupying the leading positions and Matata adding a course record to an already memorable victory.

In the women’s competition, Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu Keneni emerged as the day’s champion, delivering an impressive performance to win in 1:06:35 at just 19 years old.

Alemu’s victory was a significant achievement for the young Ethiopian, who faced a competitive international field featuring several accomplished Kenyan athletes. Her ability to maintain her advantage and secure the title highlighted her considerable promise as one of the emerging talents in women’s distance running.

Kenya’s Selah Jepleting Busienei finished second in 1:07:01, while compatriot Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony claimed third place in 1:07:32. Their performances secured Kenya two places on the women’s podium, although Alemu proved strongest on the day.

The battle for the remaining positions was equally competitive. Irene Chepet Cheptai finished fourth in 1:07:33, just one second behind Chepkwony, while Maryam Lufti Njoki placed fifth in 1:08:12. Ethiopia’s Meselech Alemayehu Gedefaw completed the top six in 1:09:04.

The leading finishers in the men’s race were Charles Mbatha Matata of Kenya in 58:52, Samwel Nyamai Mailu of Kenya in 59:24, Stanley Waithaka Mburu of Kenya in 59:33, Birhanu Legese Gurmesa of Ethiopia in 1:00:33, Samwel Chebolei Mosai of Kenya in 1:00:34, and Negasa Dekeba Bikela of Ethiopia in 1:00:36.

In the women’s race, Wudinesh Alemu Keneni of Ethiopia won in 1:06:35, followed by Selah Jepleting Busienei of Kenya in 1:07:01, Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony of Kenya in 1:07:32, Irene Chepet Cheptai of Kenya in 1:07:33, Maryam Lufti Njoki of Kenya in 1:08:12, and Meselech Alemayehu Gedefaw of Ethiopia in 1:09:04.

The Delhi Half Marathon once again demonstrated why it remains an important fixture on the international road-racing calendar, bringing together established performers and emerging talents for a compelling day of competition.

For Charles Matata, the victory was about more than individual success. By following in the footsteps of his twin brother Alex, he ensured that the Delhi crown remained in the family while delivering a provisional course record and leading Kenya to a complete sweep of the men’s podium.

For Alemu, winning at just 19 represents a promising milestone in what could become an exciting distance-running career. Her triumph showed that Ethiopia’s next generation continues to emerge strongly on the international stage.

Together, their performances made the 2026 edition a memorable occasion, celebrating Kenyan dominance, Ethiopian excellence, family achievement and the continuing appeal of elite half-marathon racing.

The elite start lists for the 2026 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon have been unveiled, setting the stage for a compelling contest featuring some of the strongest distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia and beyond.

Scheduled for October 18, the prestigious Indian road race has assembled a formidable international field, with established champions, proven half-marathon performers and ambitious debutants all preparing to take on the streets of New Delhi.

The men's race promises an intriguing showdown, led by Ethiopian star Birhanu Legese, whose personal best of 58:59 makes him one of the leading names on the entry list. Kenya's Samwel Chebolei Masai boasts an even faster personal best of 58:48, while compatriots Charles Mbatha Matata, Samwel Mailu and Robert Kiprop Koech bring impressive credentials, with personal bests of 59:15, 59:19 and 59:51 respectively.

The Kenyan challenge is particularly deep, with Samwel Chebolei Masai, Charles Mbatha Matata, Samwel Mailu, Robert Kiprop Koech, Jamal Kiprono, Peter Tuitoek and Stanley Waithaka among the athletes capable of making the contest highly competitive. Ethiopia will also be represented by Tesfaye Deriba, Melaku Belachew, Kasu Tsegaye and other experienced runners, while Tanzania's Daniel Sinda and Morocco's Abderrahmane Aferdi add further international depth to the men's field.

Attention will also be on Kenyan debutant Benson Kiplangat and Ethiopian newcomer Daniel Zewudu Bekele, both listed without a personal best. Their inclusion adds an element of uncertainty, as they prepare to test themselves against established performers on one of the world's prominent half-marathon stages.

The women's race is equally compelling, with Kenya's Irine Chepet Cheptai heading the entry list by personal best, having clocked 1:04:53. Her compatriot Cynthia Jerotich Limo follows with 1:06:04, narrowly ahead of Israel's Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, whose personal best stands at 1:06:09.

Kenya's Cynthia Chepkwony, with a personal best of 1:06:49, further strengthens the country's challenge, while Ethiopia brings a formidable group led by Asmarech Anley, who has run 1:07:01. Melal Siyoum Biratu, Sewareg Haymanot, Wudinesh Alemu and Kiros Muaz are among the other Ethiopian athletes expected to contribute to the depth of the women's contest.

The Kenyan women's contingent also includes Orba Chemurgor, Caren Chebet and Selah Buseinei, while Christine Njoki Nalimo and Beatrice Chepkoech are listed for their half-marathon debuts. Ethiopia's debutants include Silnat Bitwe, Wubrist Aschal and Worknesh Yehualaw, creating further intrigue around how the newcomers will perform against more experienced opposition.

With established names boasting personal bests around the 59-minute mark in the men's race and the 64-minute range in the women's contest, the stage is set for a high-quality display of endurance and tactical racing. However, personal bests alone will not determine the outcome, with race-day conditions, pacing and tactical decisions likely to play crucial roles.

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon continues to attract leading international distance runners, bringing together athletes from different nations in a race where reputation must ultimately be matched by performance.

On October 18, the focus will shift from the names on the start lists to the athletes on the road, as Kenya and Ethiopia renew their rivalry in pursuit of victory in New Delhi.