Preparations for  Europe’s oldest marathon are entering the final stretch.

• More than 19,000 runners already have their race numbers ready.
• The elite field is now complete.
• Olympic champions and medallists from a range of sports will join the runners on the start line.
• The main event will take place on Sunday, 4 October 2026.
• The popular live-tracking service will once again be available through the official app.
• Live TV coverage will bring the excitement of the race to audiences around the world.
• This year, organisers are also inviting runners to Run in White, a symbolic initiative supporting the values of friendship, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The countdown is on – and Košice is ready to welcome runners and fans from around the world for another unforgettable edition of the Košice Peace Marathon.

The Košice Peace Marathon 2026 Elite Field Is Complete

 

After months of negotiations, the process of assembling the elite field is now complete. In just a few hours, the first athletes will board their flights and, from Thursday, 1 October, begin arriving in Košice.

The fastest man in the entire field based on personal bests will be Kaan Kigen Özbilen (TUR, *1986), with a PB of 2:04:16. Born in Kenya and known for many years as Mike Kigen, he has represented Turkey since 2015. His career is closely connected with the legendary training group in Kaptagat, Kenya. Under coach Patrick Sang, he trained alongside former world record holder and two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, as well as Geoffrey Kamworor. Özbilen was also one of the pacemakers who helped Kipchoge during the historic INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna. He ran his personal best of 2:04:16 in Valencia in 2019, setting a new European record at the time. And even at the age of 40, he remains in excellent shape – this March he completed the Barcelona Marathon in 2:05:59.

Also arriving in Košice in excellent form is Timothy Kibet Misoi (KEN, *2001). He ran the best marathon of his career only a few months ago, setting a new personal best of 2:06:07 at the Hamburg Marathon in April.

Another young Kenyan joining the field is Erick Kiplangat Rotich (KEN, *2003). He too achieved his personal best this season, finishing the Paris Marathon in April in 2:06:55. At just 23 years of age, he is one of the youngest members of the MMM elite field.

A major addition to the women’s field is Jackline Chelal (KEN, *1991). She achieved the biggest success of her marathon career in Seville in 2023, where she not only won the race but also significantly improved her personal best to 2:20:29. She comes to Košice following another appearance in Seville this year, where she finished sixth in February in 2:24:19.

Complete Košice Peace Marathon 2026 Elite Field:

Men

Kaan Kigen Özbilen *1986 · TUR · 2:04:16

Moses Kipngetich Kemei *1993 · KEN · 2:05:51

Timothy Kibet Misoi *2001 · KEN · 2:06:07

Tafese Delelegn Abebe *1989 · ETH · 2:06:11

Aychew Bantie Dessie *1995 · ETH · 2:06:23

Stephen Mokoka *1985 · RSA · 2:06:42

Edmond Kipngetich *1994 · KEN · 2:06:47

Erick Kiplangat Rotich *2003 · KEN · 2:06:55

Abednego Cheruiyot *1994 · KEN · 2:08:04

Vincent Mutai *1999 · KEN · 2:08:30

Adam Nathan Lipschitz *1994 · RSA · 2:08:54

Weyifen Dejene Mulisa *2004 · ETH · 2:08:55

Timothy Kipkemboi Kipyego *1991 · KEN · 2:10:41

Ismael Kiprono *1998 · KEN · 2:11:00

Elias Kipchumba Maiyo *2000 · KEN · 2:12:53

Marek Hladik *1990 · SVK · 2:22:14

Taras Ivaniuta *1993 · UKR · 2:22:23

Women

Jackline Chelal *1991 · KEN · 2:20:29

Balemelay Shumet Kebede *2005 · ETH · 2:21:59

Gojjam Tsegaye Enyew *2005 · ETH · 2:24:02

Sorome Negash Amente *1997 · ETH · 2:24:45

Aberash Fayesa Robi *1995 · ETH · 2:24:59

Tecla Jelimo Kibet *1999 · KEN · 2:25:15

Rediet Daniel Molla *2000 · ETH · 2:26:25

Obseni Getachew Adilo *2002 · ETH · 2:28:27

Caroline Jebet Korir *1994 · KEN · 2:30:12

Alemaz Samuel Teshale *1999 · ETH · debut

Nurit Ahmed Samiro *2004 · ETH · debut

Live Stream for Everyone

We hae already announced that viewers in Slovakia will be able to enjoy live coverage of the Košice Peace Marathon on STVR Jednotka. Our supporters abroad will not miss out either – once again this year, a live stream with English commentary will be available. The commentary will once again be provided by James Thie – a former elite 1500m runner, multiple Masters world champion, coach and commentator at major sporting events. The live stream, which we particularly recommend sharing with your friends abroad, will be available at kosicemarathon.com. Just like the STVR Jednotka broadcast, coverage begins on Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Brano Koniar – Race Director – Kosice Peace Marathon