ATHLETICS
Frank Rotich 1 hr ago

Kenyan stars dominate Geneva Marathon

Kenyan won the top three positions in Geneva Marathon on Sunday. [Courtesy Athletics Kenya]

Kenyan athletes once again stamped their authority in long-distance running after dominating both the men’s and women’s races at the Geneva Marathon on Sunday.

The men’s race winner Collins Kemboi continued his impressive rise in marathon running after making his debut in 2024. He first announced himself with victory in Münster, Germany, where he clocked 2:10:52 to lead a Kenyan clean sweep of the top four positions.

His second marathon appearance came in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he finished fifth in 2:19:47. However, it was in Geneva in 2025 where he achieved his major breakthrough by winning his first international marathon title before successfully defending it on Sunday in only his fourth race over the 42-kilometre distance.

Fellow Kenyan Silas Too also continued his strong form with a second-place finish. The result adds to an impressive season after he finished runner-up at the Hong Kong Marathon in January, clocking 2:09:56 behind Ethiopia’s Melaku Belachew.

Simion Tarus, who completed the Kenyan dominance on the podium positions, was making his first road race appearance of the 2026 season. He had ended his 2025 campaign with a fifth-place finish at the Porto Marathon.

In the women’s race, Patience Jebet Kimutai made a dream marathon debut after storming to victory in 2:30:45. The Kenyan held off Switzerland’s Fabienne Schlumpf, who finished second in 2:31:15.

Another Kenyan, Jackline Chepkoech, sealed a memorable outing for the country after finishing third in 2:31:18, also on her marathon debut.

The results capped a golden afternoon for Kenya in Geneva, once again highlighting the country’s strength and depth in international marathon running.