ATHLETICS
Frank Rotich 3 days ago

Jelimo shines as Kenya dominates Prague Marathon

Kenya’s Millicent Jelimo. [Courtesy Millicent Jelimo]

Kenya’s Millicent Jelimo delivered a stunning performance on her marathon debut, leading a clean sweep for the country in the women’s race at the Prague Marathon on Sunday.

Jelimo, 29, clocked an impressive 2:24:19 to cross the finish line first, marking a perfect start to her career over the 42-kilometre distance.

Known for her strong performances in half marathons, Jelimo proved she could handle the full marathon with confidence, beating more experienced runners to take top honours.

Kenya completed the podium sweep, with Janet Ruguru finishing second in 2:26:41, while Angela Tanui came in third after posting a time of 2:27:45. The result underlines Kenya’s continued dominance in women’s long-distance running on the global stage.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Berehanu Tsegu claimed victory in 2:05:51, securing his first win in Prague after previous attempts. The 26-year-old started strongly and looked set to challenge the course record, but rising temperatures slowed his pace in the later stages.

Kenya’s Felix Kipkoech settled for second place in 2:07:45, repeating his position from last year’s race, while Ethiopia’s Andualem Belay finished third in 2:07:59.

Several Kenyan athletes also posted strong performances in the men’s top ten, highlighting the country’s depth in marathon running despite missing out on the top spot.

The Prague Marathon once again showcased thrilling competition, with Kenya’s women stealing the spotlight through a dominant and historic podium finish.