Kenyan athletes delivered standout performances at the 2025 editions of the Rotterdam and Paris marathons, securing multiple podium finishes and reaffirming the country’s dominance in global distance running.
In Rotterdam, Geoffrey Kamworor made a sensational debut, winning the men’s race in 2:04:33 to clinch his third career marathon title.
His previous wins came at the New York Marathon in 2017 and 2019. Kamworor became the first Kenyan to win in Rotterdam since Marius Kipserem’s 2019 victory.
Kamworor crossed the finish line 33 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Chala Regasa (2:05:06), while Chimdessa Debele, also of Ethiopia, placed third in 2:05:26.
Kenya’s depth was on full display, with Kennedy Kimutai (2:05:57), Alex Masai (2:08:03), and Raphael Kolian (2:08:55) finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. Former champion Kenneth Kipkemoi, winner in 2018, placed 20th in 2:12:34.
In the women’s race, Jackline Cherono, 26, clocked 2:21:14 to take the title, fending off Ethiopia’s Aminet Ahmed (2:22:14) and Azmera Gebru (2:22:15). Cherono’s win continues a decade-long pattern of alternating wins between Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes at the Rotterdam Marathon.
Other recent Kenyan champions include Eunice Chumba (2023), Stella Barsosio (2021), and Visiline Jepkesho (2018).
Emily Chebet was the only other Kenyan woman in the Rotterdam top 20, placing 12th in 2:28:22.
And in Paris, 22-year-old Bernard Biwott emerged victorious in the men’s race with a personal best of 2:05:25, claiming back-to-back marathon titles after his 2024 Frankfurt win.
His triumph marked the 15th win by a Kenyan man in Paris and the first since Elisha Rotich’s course record in 2021.
Biwott broke Ethiopia’s three-year winning streak, with their top performer, Dinkalem Ayele, finishing sixth in 2:07:54.
Djibouti’s Ibrahim Hassan (2:06:13) and Kenya’s Sila Kiptoo (2:06:21) completed the podium.
Kenya further dominated the men’s field with Enock Kinyamal (2:06:32), Dominic Ng’eno (2:06:37), Enock Kibichy (2:08:29), and Timothy Kibet (2:08:38) finishing fourth, fifth, eighth, and tenth respectively.
In the women’s race, Angela Tanui placed third in 2:21:07, just behind Ethiopian duo Bedatu Hirpa (2:20:45) and Dera Dida (2:20:49).
Other top-10 finishes for Kenya came from Janet Ruguru (2:24:36, sixth), Judit Jeptum (2:25:30, eighth), and Agnes Keino (2:26:09, ninth). Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri claimed fourth place in a strong 2:21:31 performance.
