Kenyan long-distance stars Alex Nzioka Matata and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk ruled the streets of the capital, clinching the men’s and women’s elite titles respectively at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2025 on Sunday.
Kenyan Double Triumph
It was only the second time in the event’s history that Kenyan runners won both the men’s and women’s titles in the same edition — the last being Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkurui in 2006.
Matata, who had finished runner-up last year, ran a tactically perfect race to clock 59:50, comfortably ahead of Ethiopia’s Bayelign Teshager (1:00:22) and fellow Kenyan James Kipkogei (1:00:25).
“This might be my best race of the season,” said the 28-year-old Matata, who also won the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon earlier this year with a personal best of 59:20.
Rengeruk Outpaces Ethiopians
In the women’s race, Rengeruk produced a late burst to edge Ethiopia’s Melal Siyoum Biratu (1:07:21) by just one second. Mulat Tekle (1:07:29) finished third, while last year’s winner Alemaddis Eyayu managed only seventh place with 1:10:51.
Rengeruk, who won the Prague Half Marathon earlier this year and the Bengaluru World 10K, maintained her fine form despite humid conditions, clocking 1:07:20 for the title.
Indian Elite Winners
Among Indian athletes, Abhishek Pal and Seema emerged on top in their respective categories. Pal clocked 1:04:17, narrowly missing his personal best, while debutant Seema won the women’s section in 1:11:23.
The 2025 edition marked the 20th anniversary of the Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, with both Matata and Rengeruk pocketing USD 27,000 each for their victories.
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