Team Kenya dominates Prague Half Marathon with 5 on podium
By Luke Oluoch, March 28, 2026Kenyan athletes have once again showcased their acumen in long-distance racing with dominant performances in both the men’s and women’s categories at the Prague Half Marathon, staged on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in the Czech Republic.
Caroline Gitonga clocked a personal best of 1:06:17 to clinch top honours in the women’s category, leading a clean sweep for the Kenyan women. Jesca Chelangat followed in second place with a time of 1:06:45, while Cynthia Chepkwony took the bronze in 1:06:49.
The Kenyan’s impressive outing continued the trio’s splendid run in the discipline, with Gitonga extending her half-marathon victories to successes in Drammen (1:08:59) and Ravenna (1:06:26) in 2025.
Chelangat also improved from her fourth-place finish in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February 2025.
Burundian bags gold
In the men’s category, despite not bagging the gold medal, Samwel Chebolel Masai clinched silver after an impressive run, clocking a personal best of 58:48. His compatriot, Owen Kapkama, won bronze in 58:58, also setting a personal best.
The men’s race was won by Burundian Rodrigue Kwizera, who set a new national record of 58:16.
These feats prompted praise from Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who hailed the podium sweep as a testament to the nation’s unmatched dominance in long-distance running on the global stage.
“This spectacular dominance in this half marathon underscores Kenya’s unmatched rise in long-distance races at the global stage. We also hail Samwel Masai for bringing home a silver in the men’s race at a personal best time of 58:48 with Owen Kapkama taking the bronze in a time of 58:58; also his personal best,” part of his statement read.
Mwangi further termed the showing an undeniable demonstration of the country’s athletic edge.
“This was more than a victory; the terrific performance was an uncontestable demonstration of the formidable depth of talent Kenya has and the sheer class our athlete possesses,” he added.
The results come a couple of weeks after long-distance athlete Hellen Obiri clinched the New York Marathon course, winning the 2026 half-marathon edition in a breathtaking fashion.
The former two-time NY full marathon winner put up a spirited performance, winning the race ahead of compatriot Sharon Lokedi.