More than 5,000 local and international athletes took part in the Colombo Marathon 2026 held at Galle Face in Colombo on Sunday (13), with runners from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka securing top positions across several categories.
The international event, organised jointly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Sports Development, attracted more than 130 foreign runners representing 25 countries.
Organisers said more than Rs. 12.83 million in prize money was awarded to winners.
In the men’s 42-kilometre full marathon, Uganda’s Julius Ugandan Ochieng secured first place with a time of 2:18:54, followed by Kenya’s Geoffrey Birgen in 2:20:43 and Ethiopia’s Negasi Tuji Korme in 2:21:50.
Ethiopian athletes swept the women’s full marathon, with Aynalem Kasahun Teferi winning in 2:54:09. Gete Guta Galato finished second in 2:54:48, while Genzeb Shumi Regasa placed third in 2:55:20.
Kenya’s Edwin Yebei Kiptoo won the men’s 21-kilometre half marathon in 1:10:28, narrowly ahead of Sri Lanka’s W.M.S. Sarathkumara, who finished in 1:10:52. Kenya’s Bomer Kiptoo Evans placed third with a time of 1:10:53.
Sri Lanka’s Methmi Rosata won the women’s half marathon in 1:17:50, while fellow Sri Lankan Chamini finished second in 1:26:14. Kenya’s Jackline Jeptanui took third place in 1:26:41.
Sri Lankan runners swept the podium in both the men’s and women’s 10-kilometre races.
Mahendran Gobinathan won the men’s 10km event in 32:16, followed by R.M. Samantha Pushpakumara in 33:04 and D.P.S.S. Senanayake in 33:06.
In the women’s 10km event, P.G.S.S. Wimalasooriya finished first in 39:08, Oshadini Fonseka placed second in 39:27 and K.M. Shashikala came third in 42:17. (Newswire)