Africa-Press – Kenya. Two-time Napoli Half Marathon champion Angela Tanui will spearhead a strong Kenyan women’s team at Sunday’s Prague Half Marathon as she kicks off her 2026 campaign.
Tanui arrives riding the momentum of a stellar 2025 season, aiming to dominate the streets of the Czech capital. Last year, Tanui began her season with a podium finish at the Paris Marathon in 2:21:07, finishing just behind Ethiopia’s Bedatu Hirpa (2:20:45) and Dera Dida (2:20:49).
She later added another podium at the Kunming Marathon with 2:33:25, behind Meseret Belete (2:28:29) and Meseret Abebayahau (2:28:38). Tanui’s resume over 21km is impressive: two Napoli victories (2019 in 1:09:53 and 2024 in 1:07:04), wins in Trento 2016 (1:09:27) and Verona (1:09:45), as well as multiple runner-up and podium finishes in Ostia, Milano, Adana, Olomouc, and Goteborg, underscoring her elite consistency.
She will be joined by Caroline Gitonga, who has already started 2026 emphatically, winning the Castellon 10K in 29:34. Gitonga’s half-marathon form is equally notable, with victories in Drammen (1:08:59) and Ravenna (1:06:26) last year.
Also in the squad is Jesca Chelangat, who finished fourth at February’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 1:07:33, while Cynthia Chepkwony rounds off the lineup. Chepkwony, despite only her fourth 21km outing, has already won in Lisbon (1:07:20) and Krems (1:08:34) and clocked 1:07:35 for fifth at Ras Al Khaimah, signalling her rapid rise in elite racing.
In the men’s race, James Kipkogei aims to improve on his near-podium finish last year, when he clocked 59:50 to finish fourth behind Burundi’s defending champion Rodrigue Kwizera (58:54), Isaia Lasoi (58:56) and Ezra Tanui (59:20).
He will be joined by 2023 Milan Half Marathon champion Cosmas Boi as Kenya seeks a strong showing. However, the pair face stiff competition from Kwizera, who has already signalled intent this season, winning the Cross Internacional de las Amendoeiras in 27:19. With elite Kenyan talent leading both squads, the Prague Half Marathon promises a thrilling showdown.
