Kenya’s Charles Matata Breaks Course Record To Win 2026 Delhi Half Marathon

Last Updated:October 18, 2026, 1:47 PM IST

Matata clocked 58 minutes and 52 seconds to better by one second the previous course record of 58:53 set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020.

Charles Matata wins Delhi Half Marathon

Kenya’s Charles Matata shattered the course record to win the men’s elite race at the Delhi Half Marathon, while Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu took the women’s crown in New Delhi on Sunday.

Matata clocked 58 minutes and 52 seconds to better by one second the previous course record of 58:53 set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020. He will pocket an additional $12,000 (Rs 11,39,586) for breaking the event record, besides the winner’s purse of $27,000 (Rs 25,64,068).

Matata’s twin brother, Alex Matata, had won the 2025 edition with a time of 59 minutes and 50 seconds.

Kenyans swept the top three positions in the men’s elite race, with Samwel Nyamai Mailu (59:24) and Stanley Waithaka Mburu (59:33) finishing second and third, respectively.

In the women’s elite race, Alemu clocked one hour, six minutes and 35 seconds to win the title. Kenyans Selah Businei (1:07:01) and Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony (1:07:32) finished second and third, respectively.

Shailesh Kushwaha won the men’s Indian elite race with a time of one hour, five minutes and five seconds, while Gaurav Mathur (1:05:11) and Hemant Kumar (1:05:37) finished second and third, respectively.

Among Indian elite women, Ankita Dhyani took the top spot with a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 46 seconds, while Soniya (1:14:56) and Bhagirathi (1:15:51) finished second and third, respectively.

The 2026 edition of the Delhi Half Marathon offered a total prize purse of $275,732, with the men’s and women’s winners each receiving $27,000.

The top three finishers in the Indian elite men’s and women’s categories will receive Rs 3,50,000, Rs 2,50,000 and Rs 1,50,000, respectively.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

Who won the men’s elite race at the 2026 Delhi Half Marathon?

Kenya’s Charles Matata won the men’s elite race at the 2026 Delhi Half Marathon, clocking 58 minutes and 52 seconds to shatter the previous course record by one second.

What is the total prize purse for the 2026 Delhi Half Marathon?

The 2026 edition of the Delhi Half Marathon featured a total prize purse of $275,732, with the individual winners in both the men’s and women’s elite categories each receiving $27,000.

Who won the Indian elite women’s category at the 2026 Delhi Half Marathon?

Ankita Dhyani secured the top spot in the Indian elite women’s category at the 2026 Delhi Half Marathon with a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 46 seconds.

Powered by

Ask News18

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More

Read More