31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon 2026 : Kenyan Asbel Rutto Claims Back-to-Back Victories. In the women’s race, Pascaline Kibiwot Sets a New Course Record

Asbel Rutto Wins Again, Pascaline Kibiwot Sets New Course Record: The 31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon Makes History

Kenyan One-Two Finish, Asbel Rutto Wins Again
Pascaline Kibiwot Sets New Course Record
Record Number of Participants and International Runners

ROME – Rome woke up vibrant, energetic, and stronger than ever, fueled by the energy of 36,000 runners from all over the world. At dawn, the starting area at the Imperial Forums beneath the Colosseum was already buzzing with excitement, hugs, greetings, and a desire to run and experience a day like “gladiators.” Something magical was in the air for Rome and for Italian sports thanks to the Acea Run Rome The Marathon 2026, which then reached its climax with the magical finish at the Circus Maximus. The Acea Run Rome Marathon also served as the first stop on the new European Marathon Classics circuit.

The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, together with Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion, waved the Italian flag to officially start at 8:10 from Fori Imperiali to the 36,000 marathon runners who will become gladiators. The start took place a few minutes earlier for the runners in the disability category and their Inix pushers.

Before the Acea Run4Rome charity relay had begun, the touching initiative «A Minute of Noise» was repeated, a symbolic moment promoted by the Giulia Cecchettin Foundation, during which athletes were invited to make noise to draw attention to the issue of violence against women and the importance of not remaining silent. The initiative had already taken place at the start of the Acea Water Fun Run and Stracanina on Saturday morning.

Pope Leo XIV

As always, the Pope’s Angelus took place in St. Peter’s Square at 12:00 p.m. This marked the “first” marathon for Pope Leo XIV: “Today, the great Marathon is taking place in Rome, with countless athletes from all over the world. This is a sign of hope! May sport pave the way for peace, social inclusion, and spirituality.” Marathon runners from around the world passed through Via Conciliazione and St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican around the 13th kilometer of the official race course. There were 40 participants in the Athletica Vaticana marathon, the Holy Father’s team, while four teams ran the Acea Run4Rome charity relay, one of which was made up entirely of Swiss Guards. Also running the marathon was Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, who celebrated the Runner’s Mass and finished the race in 4:01:44.

Results

It was a marathon of records: in addition to the records for the number of participants and of foreign runners, Kenyan Pascaline Kibiwot also set a new women’s race record.

The men’s race remained closely contested until the 30-kilometer mark, when Kenyans Henry Tukor Kichana and Asbel Rutto, along with Ethiopian Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa, raised the pace, causing the field to thin out. The trio became a duo, battling it out to the very last meter, with Kenyan Asbel Rutto emerging victorious in 2:06:32, repeating his 2024 victory, a race in which he had also set the course record. “I prepared well for this race. I came here to win, to defend my victory from two years ago; that was my main goal” commented the winner. “About 500 meters from the finish, I began to realize I would win this race. I’m very satisfied” he concluded.

The victory was thus decided in the very last meters of the race, leaving Kenyan Henry Tukor Kichana in second place with a time of 2:06:36. Further back was Ethiopian Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa, who completed the podium in 2:07:44.

The women’s race was more decisive, with Kenyan Pascaline Kibiwot taking the initiative after the 25-kilometer mark to lead a steady charge that ultimately earned her the top spot. She secured the victory with a personal best and a new course record of 2:22:44, surpassing the previous women’s course record by 8 seconds. “The race went well; I didn’t expect to win, and I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s my first time here, the course is beautiful, and I’m very satisfied because I also improved my personal best” commented the winner.

Ethiopian Genet Tadesse Robi was unable to keep up and had to settle for second place in 2:24:55. The podium was rounded out by her compatriot Aberash Fayesa Robi in 2:25:43.

For Italy

The national colors were represented by Luca Parisi (SS Lazio Atl. Leggera) finished in 17^th position in 2:22:45, while Roberto Patuzzo (DK Runners) came second in 2:27:13 and Marco Filippi (KM Sport) in 2h27:27.

The women’s team was led by Sara Carnicelli (Athletica Vaticana), who finished in 2:40:29, followed by Rosita Rubeca (GS Filippide) in 2:46:13, and Sarah Giomi (Atl. Castello) in 2:49:41.

Before the start, the tradition of the Gruppo Storico Legione Romana was renewed as the group marched toward the starting line, followed by the strains of the Italian national anthem performed by the Rome Metropolitan Police Band, conducted by Maestro and Director Andrea Monaldi and sung by mezzo-soprano Isabella Amati.

Race Report – Men

Km 5 – At the first checkpoint, the leading group consisted of Ethiopians Solomon Weldeslassie Berihu, Anegagreng Demisu Gemeda, and Anbesa Lencho Tesfaye, along with Kenyans Dominic Kiprono, Dickson Kiptoo, Abraham Kapsis Kipyatich, Robert Ngeno, Henry Tukor Kichana, Asbel Rutto, and Felicien Muhitira, passing the 5 km mark in 14:58.

Km 15 – At 15 km, the leading group included Dominic Kiprono, Henry Tukor Kichana, Robert Ngeno, Anbesa Lencho Tesfaye, Solomon Weldeslassie Berihu, Asbel Rutto, Birhanu Teshome Demisie, and Hammington Kimaiyo Cherop, who passed in 44:30.

Half Marathon – Dominic Kiprono, Solomon Weldeslassie Berihu, Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa, Henry Tukor Kichana, Robert Ngeno, and Asbel Rutto passed the half-marathon mark in 1:02:37.

Km 30 – At km 30, only three runners—Henry Tukor Kichana, Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa, and Asbel Rutto—remained in the lead group, passing in 1:29:53

Km 35 – The leading group remained unchanged and tight, passing in 1:44:19.

Km 40 – The Kenyans Asbel Rutto and Henry Tukor Kichana continued in the lead, clocking a time of 1:59:36. Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa trailed by about 30 seconds, passing through at 2:00:10.

Finish Line – It was a thrilling two-men battle that once again crowned Asbel Rutto, who, with a time of 2:06:32, reaffirmed his status as the king of Rome. He finished just ahead of Henry Tukor Kichana, who took second place in 2:06:36. Further back, Ethiopian Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa rounded out the podium in 2:07:44.

Race Report – Women

Km 5 – At the 5 km mark, a tight group consisted of the Ethiopians Netsanet Gudeta Kebede, Aberash Fayesa Robi, Addisie Mislenew, Betelhem Nega Ferede, Azalech Masresha Woldeselasse, Zeyituna Husan Roba, Genet Tadesse Robi, Addisalem Belay, and the Kenyans Mercy Jerop Kwambai, Pascaline Kibiwot, Irine Korir Chepchirchir, and Roselidah Jepketer, passing in 17:00.

Km 15 – At 15 km, Pascaline Kibiwot, Netsanet Gudeta Kebede, Addisie Mislenew, Betelhem Nega Ferede, Azalech Masresha Woldeselasse, Aberash Fayesa Robi, Genet Tadesse Robi, and Roselidah Jepketer passed in 50:06.

Half Marathon – Netsanet Gudeta Kebede, Pascaline Kibiwot, Aberash Fay.

Km 35 – Kenyan runner Pascaline Kibiwot took the lead and was the first to pass the 30-kilometer mark in 1:40:32. Netsanet Gudeta Kebede trailed by 45 seconds and held a 40-second lead over third-place runner Aberash Fayesa Robi.

Km 40 – The Kenyan pulled away alone and passed the mark in 2:14:51. Genet Tadesse Robi in 2:17:12 and Aberash Fayesa Robi in 2:17:25.

Finish line – Unrivaled, the Kenyan Pascaline Kibiwot launched into a solo sprint that crowned her queen of Rome after crossing the finish line in 2:22:44, a time that set a new race record. Second place went to the Ethiopian Genet Tadesse Robi in 2:24:55, with the podium rounded out by her compatriot Aberash Fayesa Robi in 2:25:43.

93-year-old Antonio Rao crosses the finish line at the
31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon

World M90 marathon record holder Antonio Rao completes the
31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon

ROME – The 31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon is once again making history with an exceptional finisher, 93-year-old Antonio Rao (Purosangue Ath. Club), born in 1933, who continues to amaze with his extraordinary resilience and completes another marathon in 7:09:20.

Born in Calabria and a Roman by adoption, Antonio Rao made headlines in 2023 when he crossed the finish line in 6:14:44, simultaneously setting an extraordinary record in the M90 age group. In 2024, Antonio finished his race in 6:54:23, and in 2025 in 6:44:16.

“It was tough, but I’m back here at the finish line of this extraordinary race. I have to thank the group of pacers who cheered me on and accompanied me step by step. I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Antonio Rao.