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Kenyas Irine Cheptai Photo: Procam International
Two-Time Champion Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese Sets Sights on Third Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Crown – Seven men with sub-60-minute personal bests set to line up at this World Athletics Gold Label Road Race
Kenya’s Irine Cheptai, a Platinum Level Athlete, eyes a second title
New Delhi, 8th September 2026: Procam International, promoters of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, today announced a star-studded international elite field for the 21st edition of the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
In the men’s field, Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese will headline the elite line-up with a personal best of 58:59, making him the fastest athlete among those announced for this year’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. In the women’s field, Kenya’s Irine Cheptai will lead the charge with a personal best of 64:53.
The 21st edition will bring together some of the world’s finest distance runners, who will compete for a total prize purse of USD 275,732, with the winner in each category set to receive USD 27,000. Prize money will be awarded through to the 10th-place finisher in both the men’s and women’s categories, alongside separate incentives for the top Indian finishers. Apart from this, an event-record bonus of USD 12,000 is also in the offing for the elite athlete who bettered the previous mark in their category.
Birhanu Legese will be joined by a formidable field of seven men with sub-60-minute personal bests, setting the stage for one of the most competitive men’s races in the event’s history. Among those looking to win the Challenge Legese is Kenya’s Charles Matata, the 2023 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon runner-up, who also finished second at the Istanbul Half Marathon earlier this year.
. Birhanu Legese from Ethiopia – Photo: Procam International
Two other leading Ethiopians, Deriba Tesfaye and Melaku Belachew, will add further strength to the field. Both arrive in Delhi in impressive form, with Deriba finishing second at the Rotterdam Marathon and Melaku claiming victory at the Hong Kong Marathon 2026.
While travelling to Delhi, Birhanu Legese Said, “I have narrowly missed the podium in last year’s race and am eager to make amends this time,“ Legese revealed while talking about his return to the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. It has always been a pleasure running at the Indian capital. I am doing well and looking to get in great shape before race day this year, he added further.
Tough task ahead for Irine
In the Women’s field, VDHM 2022 winner, Kenya’s Irine Cheptai, a Platinum Level athlete with a personal best of 64:53, will have a tough challenge on her hands in Delhi this year. The women’s field will also feature last year’s silver medallist Ethiopia’s Melal Siyoum Biratu and Kenya’s Cynthia Limo, the 2024 runner-up.
A Kenyan-born athlete competing under the Israeli flag, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter will be another dark horse to watch. Salpeter won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships and has also won multiple medals for Israel at the European Championships.
Speaking about her chances this year, Irine said: “I know there are several young runners who will be competing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. But I have the experience of running in Delhi, and I am confident of challenging for the podium and fighting for my second title here.”
Irine Cheptai arrives in Delhi in impressive form, having won the Burj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai in February before finishing sixth at the Boston Marathon. Her recent performances underline her credentials as a strong contender for the title in Delhi.
Vivek Singh, the Joint Managing Director of Procam International said, “As we step into the third decade of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, we have witnessed remarkable milestones from record participation and new event records to some of the world’s finest elite athletes making their mark on the Delhi course. Each edition has raised the bar, and this year promises to be no different.
Further adding, “The elite field assembled for the 21st edition is a testament to the stature of the event on the global running calendar. With a highly competitive line-up, we expect every athlete to push their limits, challenge existing benchmarks and inspire the global running community with performances of the highest order.”
This year’s Half Marathon will feature 36 of the World’s top athletes, who will vie for the men’s and women’s titles, comprising 18 men and 18 women athletes.
International Elite Field:
MEN:
| NAME | COUNTRY | PB |
| 1. Birhanu Legese | Ethiopia | 00:58:59 |
| 2. Peter Tuitoek | Kenya | 00:59:05 |
| 3. Charles Mbatha Matata | Kenya | 00:59:15 |
| 4. Samwel Mailu | Kenya | 00:59:19 |
| 5. Robert Kiprop Koech | Kenya | 00:59:51 |
| 6. Jamal Kiprono | Kenya | 00:59:55 |
| 7. Tesfaye Deriba | Ethiopia | 00:59:56 |
| 8. Stanley Waithaka | Kenya | 01:00:17 |
| 9. Esau Kipkorir | Kenya | 01:00:19 |
| 10.Daniel Sinda | Tanzania | 01:00:36 |
| 11. Abderrahmane Aferdi | Morocco | 01:00:15 |
| 12. Melaku Belachew | Ethiopia | 01:01:19 |
| 13. Charles Rotich | Kenya | 01:01:39 |
| 14. Kasu Tsegaye | Ethiopia | 01:01:56 |
| 15. Bereket Zeleke | Ethiopia | 01:02:27 |
| 16. Injifeno Tamesgen | Ethiopia | 01:04:51 |
| 17. Benson Kiplangat | Kenya | DEBUT |
| 18. Daniel Zewudu Bekel | Ethiopia | DEBUT |
WOMEN:
| NAME | COUNTRY | PB |
| 1. Irine Chepet Cheptai | Kenya | 1:04:53 |
| 2. Cynthia Jerotich Limo | Kenya | 1:06:04 |
| 3. Lonah Chemtai Salpeter | Israel | 1:06:09 |
| 4. Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony | Kenya | 1:06:49 |
| 5. Asmarech Anley | Ethiopia | 1:07:01 |
| 6. Melal Siyoum Biratu | Ethiopia | 1:07:21 |
| 7. Sewareg Haymanot | Ethiopia | 1:07:45 |
| 8. Orba Chemurgor | Kenya | 1:07:56 |
| 9. Wudinesh Alemu | Ethiopia | 1:08:08 |
| 10. Kiros Muaz | Ethiopia | 1:09:09 |
| 11. Caren Chebet | Kenya | 1:09:22 |
| 12. Selah Buseinei | Kenya | 1:09:54 |
| 13. Abera Hulageresh | Ethiopia | 1:10:09 |
| 14. Christine Njoki Nalimo | Kenya | DEBUT |
| 15. Beatrice Chepkoech | Kenya | DEBUT |
| 16. Silnat Bitwe | Ethiopia | DEBUT |
| 17. Wubrist Aschal | Ethiopia | DEBUT |
| 18. Worknesh Yehualaw | Ethiopia | DEBUT |
For more information, please log on to https://vedantadelhihalfmarathon.procam.in/
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For media-related queries, please contact:
Procam International
Neha Kandalgaonkar/ Deepak M Pilankar
neha@procam.in / deepak@procam.in
WordsWork Communication
Rachit Kanaujia +91 9013804804
ABOUT PROCAM INTERNATIONAL
Since its inception in 1988, Procam International has been the driving force behind the growth and
development of sports management in India. Founded by the dynamic Singh brothers Anil and
Vivek, Procam is India’s premier sports management company, involved in live events, sports
consultancy, and live television production.
With astute planning and exemplary execution, Procam has a track record of conceptualising and
promoting over 100 international events, across the disciplines of Powerboat Racing, Cricket,
Football, Tennis, Distance Running, Squash, WWE, Horse Racing, Volleyball, among others.
These events have elicited participation of the highest calibre of athletes and huge public interest
and attendance.
Pioneers of the distance running movement in India, Procam International’s Big 4 – Tata Mumbai
Marathon, Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Consultancy Services World 10K and Tata
Steel World 25K Kolkata— are global leaders in their respective distances. They have ushered in
a running revolution that has helped redefine the health, fitness, and ‘giving’ paradigm of our
country.
For more information, please visit https://procam.in
Ram. Muralikrishnan
Running India News Service
