Agnes Ngetich Makes History in Copenhagen as Kenya Claims Half Marathon 1–2

 

 

 Kenya has celebrated another major moment on the global athletics stage after Agnes Jebet Ngetich won the women’s half marathon at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.

Ngetich’s victory was accompanied by a silver-medal finish for fellow Kenyan Veronica Loleo, giving Kenya a memorable 1–2 finish in the championship race. The Kenyan team had entered the event with strong medal hopes, with Ngetich, Loleo, Daisilah Jerono and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk forming part of the women’s half marathon squad. World Athletics+1

The triumph has sparked celebrations among Kenyan athletics officials and former athletes, who have hailed the performance as another significant chapter in the country’s rich distance-running tradition.

In a congratulatory message, a former athlete and former first Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, who also served as an executive committee member and chairman of Youth Development at Athletics Kenya and is director of the World Athletics Continental Tour Nairobi, praised Ngetich and Loleo for their performances. He also commended Daisilah Jerono and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk for representing Kenya at the championships.

The Copenhagen success comes during a standout season for Ngetich. World Athletics had identified her as one of the leading contenders ahead of the race after she won the World Cross Country title in Tallahassee earlier in the year and produced a series of outstanding performances across road and track events. World Athletics

The achievement also adds significance to Kenya’s preparations for Nairobi 2029, when the Kenyan capital will host the World Athletics Championships — the first time the flagship event will be staged in Africa. World Athletics confirmed Nairobi as the 2029 host earlier this month. World Athletics

The 2029 championships will also be the final edition to feature the marathon as part of the main World Athletics Championships. From 2030, the marathon will move to a separate standalone World Marathon Championships, according to World Athletics’ new roadmap. World Athletics