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Foreign athletes dominate Colombo Marathon 2026

Overseas athletes dominated the Colombo Marathon 2026, conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and held at Galle Face, Colombo.

Uganda’s Julius Ochieng emerged as the clear winner of the Men’s Full Marathon as he covered the 42.195km course in a time of two hours, 18 minutes and 54 seconds.

Geoffrey Brgen from Kenya secured the second place with a time of 2:20:43s while Negasi Korme (Ethiopia) took third place clocking 2:21:50s.

Ethiopia made a clean sweep of the Women’s Full Marathon with Aynalem Teferi recording a time of 2:54:09s to claim the top prize. Her teammate Gete Galato was close second with a time of 2:54:48s followed by third place Genzeb Regasa (2:55:20s).

The winner of the Men’s and Women’s Full Marathon received a cash award of Rs. 1,700,000 each, runners-up received Rs. 800,000 each and third place received Rs. 500,000 each. (C.D)

Results

(Men’s Full Marathon)

1, Julius Ochieng (Uganda) – 2:18:54s

2, Geoffrey Brgen (Kenya) – 2:20:43s

3, Negasi Korme (Ethiopia) – 2:21:50s

4, Meshack Nderitu (Kenya) – 2:22:47s

5, Tamiru (Ethiopia) – 2:24:40s

(Women’s Full Marathon)

1, Aynalem Teferi (Ethiopia) – 2:54:09s

2, Gete Galato (Ethiopia) – 2:54:48s

3, Genzeb Regasa (Ethiopia) – 2:55:20s

4, Rael Kimaiyo (Kenya) – 2:56:11s