Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya’s Betty Chepkwony will be out to defend her Rome Marathon title on Sunday, spearheading the women’s charge with her sights firmly set on a third crown on the Italian streets.
Last year, the 30-year-old produced a commanding run through the Italian streets, clocking 2:26:16 to outkick Selam Fente (2:28:22) and Rebecca Chesir (2:31:16).
Chepkwony had also struck victory in Rome in 2023, slicing through the course in 2:23:02 to finish ahead of Ethiopians Amid Jemal (2:25:09) and Zinash Debebe (2:25:59). A successful title defence on Sunday would further tighten her grip on the Rome Marathon.
However, the Kenyan ace will be eager to bounce back after a sluggish start to her 2026 campaign, having laboured to a 12th-place finish at the Hong Kong Marathon in January, where she timed 2:39:02.
Despite that dip, Chepkwony boasts solid credentials over the classic 42km distance, with podium finishes in Zurich 2018 (2:38:15), Sofia 2019 (2:36:57) and Firenze 2025 (2:33:25).
In Rome, she will link up with compatriot Pascaline Jelagat, the 2025 Castellon Marathon champion, as Kenya plots a strong assault in the women’s race. In the men’s contest, Asbel Rutto will be eyeing redemption as he looks to reclaim the crown he last won in 2024.
On that occasion, he stormed to victory in 2:06:24, cutting the tape ahead of fellow Kenyans Brian Kipsang (2:07:56) and Sila Kiptoo (2:08:09) in a commanding podium sweep. Rutto, however, arrives in Rome seeking to reignite his spark after a disappointing 2025 season.
The 24-year-old opened his campaign at the Wien Marathon, narrowly missing the podium with a fourth-place finish in 2:11:37, behind Ethiopia’s Haftamu Gebresilase (2:08:28), Mica Kiplagat (2:10:23) and Mogos Tuemay (2:10:33).
He showed signs of recovery at the Leiden Marathon, grinding out a third-place finish in 2:16:31. Ethiopia’s Manazot Siyum claimed victory in 2:12:53, with Wilfred Kiplangat finishing second in 2:15:31.
Rutto rounded off his year with a modest 13th-place finish over 10km in Cape Town, clocking 28:45. In Rome, he will be joined by compatriot Edwin Kosgei, who will be looking to kick-start his 2026 season and build on last year’s encouraging performances.
Kosgei opened his 2025 campaign with a strong second-place finish at the Stockholm Marathon, clocking 2:11:45 to trail compatriot Onesmus Kiplimo (2:11:34) in a tightly contested duel.
However, his season ended on a sour note after suffering a setback in Seoul, where he failed to finish. Kenya’s charge in Rome will not have it easy, with the field bolstered by the presence of 2019 Venezia Marathon champion Tesfaye Lencho of Ethiopia.
