Kenyan runners forced to settle for second in Barcelona Marathon
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 16.03.26. | 16:01
Chelangat timed his attack perfectly at a water station shortly after the 40km mark, accelerating decisively as the clock ticked past two hours
Kenyan runners had to settle for second place and below at the Zurich Barcelona Marathon on Sunday after Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay delivered a stunning debut performance that blew away the women’s field, while Uganda’s Abel Chelangat denied Kenya victory in the men’s race.
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Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo crossed the line in second place in the women’s race in 2:18:42 but was left trailing far behind Tesfay, who produced one of the fastest marathon debuts in history to dominate the event in Barcelona.
Tesfay, already known as one of the fastest half-marathon runners ever, dictated the race from the early stages as she tucked behind male pacemakers and powered through the opening 10km in 31:05.
By the halfway mark, she had surged through in 1:05:05, maintaining a relentless pace that steadily distanced her from the chasing pack led by Kiplimo.
As the race progressed, the Ethiopian continued to increase the gap, reaching 30km in 1:32:00 while the Kenyan contingent struggled to keep within striking distance.
By the time Tesfay approached the closing stages, the race had effectively turned into a solo exhibition.
The 28-year-old went through 40km in 2:03:31, still chasing the world record, and although strong winds denied her a sub-2:10 finish, she still stormed home in 2:10:51, the fastest marathon debut in history, an Ethiopian national record, and the second-fastest time ever recorded by a woman.
Behind her, Kiplimo fought hard to secure second place for Kenya but finished almost eight minutes adrift, underlining the dominance of the Ethiopian star on the day. Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer completed the podium in 2:18:49.
In the men’s race, Kenya also had to settle for the minor positions after Chelangat edged out the Kenyan challenge in a dramatic late surge.
Kenya’s Patrick Mosin looked on course for victory after breaking away alongside Chelangat, with the pair running shoulder-to-shoulder deep into the race. They passed the 40km mark together in 1:58:40, setting up a tense final stretch.
However, Chelangat timed his attack perfectly at a water station shortly after the 40km mark, accelerating decisively as the clock ticked past two hours. Mosin could not respond to the sudden change of pace, allowing the Ugandan to stride clear and seal victory in 2:04:57.
Mosin finished just four seconds behind in 2:05:01 as Kenya settled for second place, while compatriot Jonathan Samanayo Korir secured third in 2:05:29. Fellow Kenyan Moses Kipngetich Kemei placed fourth in 2:05:53.
Top results
Women
Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) – 2:10:51
Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo (KEN) – 2:18:42
Zeineba Yimer (ETH) – 2:18:49
Men
Abel Chelangat (UGA) – 2:04:57
Patrick Mosin (KEN) – 2:05:01
Jonathan Samanayo Korir (KEN) – 2:05:29
Moses Kipngetich Kemei (KEN) – 2:05:53