The XLI edition of the Mexico City Marathon, held on Sunday, August 25, showcased a remarkable display of endurance and talent as Kenyan athletes clinched victory in both the men’s and women’s events.
The marathon, one of the most prestigious sporting events in Mexico, saw thousands of runners celebrate the 42 km and 195 meters of the challenging route culminating at the iconic Zócalo.
In the men’s race, Edwin Kiptoo emerged victorious with an impressive time of 2:10:36. The seasoned athlete surged ahead in the final stretch, edging out compatriots Leonard Langat and Francis Cheruiyot, who completed the podium in second and third place, respectively.
Kiptoo’s winning performance marked a significant achievement as it was his second consecutive victory at this event, having also triumphed in 2022. Displaying a moment of gratitude post-race, Kiptoo lay on the ground after crossing the finish line, reveling in the support from the enthusiastic crowd.
Kiptoo sported the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes, while Langat and Cheruiyot finished with the Adizero Adios Pro 3, showcasing the elite gear that contributed to their outstanding performances.
In the women’s category, Fancy Chemutai led the pack, finishing with a time of 2:29:19 and securing her place at the top of the podium.
Fellow Kenyans Shitaye Habte and Janet Gichumbi followed closely, demonstrating the nation’s remarkable dominance in distance running. Both Chemutai and Habte opted for the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes, while Gichumbi wore the Adizero Adios Pro 3.
The marathon kicked off at 5:55 a.m., with the last group departing the Olympic University Stadium area at 7:15 a.m. Among the 30,000 participants, Fernando Sánchez made headlines by being the first to cross the finish line in the special wheelchair category, clocking in at 1:29.
Amid celebrations filled with tears, shouts, and applause, this year’s marathon once again reaffirmed its status as a premier event in international athletics, showcasing the exceptional talent that continues to emerge from Kenya.
