Dominance of Kenyan runners in the half marathon

Kenyan runners Frensis Abong Kumva and Valentina Jebet are the winners and new record holders of the half marathon race held as part of the 39th Powerade Belgrade Marathon.

He completed the 21-kilometer course through the streets of Serbia’s capital, on a new route, in a time of 1:00:47. The previous best result was held by Kenyan runner Mwangı from 2008 – 1:02:51.

Kumva broke away from his rivals around the 10th kilometer and went on to claim a convincing victory. The remaining podium places were taken by his compatriots—Kennedy Kimutai Kaptila finished second with a time of 1:02:26, while Vincent Momanji came third in 1:03:07.

Janko Urošević was the highest-placed competitor from Serbia, finishing in 10th place with a time of 1:13:06.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Valentina Jebet claimed victory, breaking away from her only rival, Ethiopia’s Lelisa Bekele Badese, around the 15th kilometer. She triumphed with a time of 1:10:47. Until this year, the best time had been held by the legendary Olivera Jevtić – 1:11:41.

Bekele finished second with a time of 1:12:41, while Croatia’s Matea Parlov Koštro came third in 1:13:37. Nora Trklja Boca from Serbia placed fifth with a time of 1:20:51.

A total of 7,500 runners took part in the half marathon. The race course was changed compared to previous years, with both the start and finish located at Republic Square. Today, starting at 18:00, the 10-kilometer race is scheduled, while the main event—the marathon—will begin on Sunday at 8:00.

According to the organizers, a total of 14,500 participants are expected to run through the streets of the capital over two days, including 4,500 international runners from as many as 79 countries. This event also serves as a test competition and a general rehearsal for the European Running Championships over 10, 21, and 42 kilometers, which Belgrade will host in 2027, marking a major юбilee of the Belgrade Marathon.