Kenya sweeps podium in Milan Marathon; Rotterdam proves elusive
By Luke Oluoch, April 12, 2026Kenyan athletes faced contrasting fortunes in marathon races staged on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in the Dutch city of Rotterdam and Milan, Italy.
In Italy, Vitalis Kibiwott led a clean sweep of the podium as Kenyans starred in the race through the streets of the populous city from start to finish.
Kibiwott ran 2:06:35 to lead his compatriots, Amos Kiplagat and Laban Kiplimo, to victory. The two finished closely, with times of 2:08:14 and 2:08:23, respectively.
For Kibiwott, the race continued his fine form, coming after his 2025 Mersin Marathon victory in Turkey. The athlete set a personal best (PB) and new course record time of 2:07:14 in December 2025.
In the women’s race, Yeshi Chekole of Ethiopia led to a similar outcome as Ethiopians usurped the Kenyans in the female category.
Eebbisee Addunyaa finished second in a time of 2:21:13 as Sintayehu Tilahun settled for bronze in 2:25:29.
Kenya’s Top 3 men in Italy marathon
- Vitalis Kibiwott – 2:06:35
- Amos Kiplagat – 2:08:14
- Laban Kiplimo – 2:08:23
Top 3 women
- Yeshi Chekole – 2:20:15
- Eebbisee Addunyaa – 2:21:13
- Sintayehu Tilahun – 2:25:29
Kenyans Kenneth Kipkemboi and Erick Sang, alongside women’s defending champion Jackline Cherono, led the elite field for this weekend’s Rotterdam Marathon. They faced Belgian Olympic medalist and men’s course record holder Bashir Abdi (2:03:36), as well as Ethiopian contenders Birhanu Legese and Haymanot Alew.
In the women’s race, Cherono returned to defend her title after her 2025 win and personal best of 2:21:14, challenged by Mekides Shimeles, Shitaye Eshete, Meskerem Assefa and Aminet Ahmed.
The Rotterdam Marathon, however, proved elusive for Kenya, with men finishing off the podium.
Erick Kiplagat Sang only managed a finish as the race was won by 2021 Berlin Marathon champion Guye Adola.
The Ethiopian ran an impressive 2:03:54 to clinch the honours.
The same feat of Ethiopians outshining Kenyans continued in the women’s race, with Ethiopia dominating. Mekides Shimeles finished top after running an impressive time of 2:18:56, shaving off two seconds from her previous record to set a new course record.
Her compatriot Aminet Ahmed emerged second.
Kenya’s top finisher was Pascalia Chepkogei, who ran 2:24:34 to secure fourth place.