‘Queen of India’ Irine Cheptai returns to Delhi/India as Birhanu Legese targets a third title at Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

New Delhi, October 16, 2026: Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese, a two-time winner of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, aims to reclaim the title and win his third victory at the World Athletics Gold Label Race on Sunday. 

 “I am in good shape and have trained well, and we will see how I do on Sunday. I like Delhi; it is almost like a second home. I have come here many times, and I like the people and the organisers,” he said. 

The 2026 edition will offer a total prize purse of USD 275,732, with the men’s and women’s winners each receiving USD 27,000. An additional event-record bonus of USD 12,000 will be awarded to any athlete who breaks the course record.

Reflecting on his preparations, Legese added that he trained in Kaptagat with Eliud Kipchoge, citing traffic and other challenges in Addis Ababa. Despite missing the podium last year, he said he remained hungry and motivated, with a clear goal in mind.

Kenya’s Charles Matata, who works with the Kenyan police, is also confident of challenging for the title. Earlier this year, he won the Riga Half Marathon in Latvia in 59:15. “I personally love half marathons. I am also good at speed work, and I believe my consistency comes from training with strong teams. We always approach races with a winning mentality, and that mindset has helped me consistently finish among the top two in most of my half marathons,” he said.

Matata’s compatriot Irine Cheptai, the 2022 Delhi champion, has enjoyed a strong season, winning the Dubai Half Marathon in February before finishing second at the Sydney Marathon in August. However, she is still recovering from the marathon.

“After the Sydney Marathon, I decided to take a two-week break before returning to training. I am still recovering, and I wouldn’t say I am in top shape at the moment, but I will do my best on Sunday. India feels like my second home, and I am always happy to come here and compete,” said Cheptai, who is affectionately known as the ‘Queen of India’ in Kenya.

Another major contender in the women’s field is Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, the Kenyan-born Israeli athlete who won a bronze medal in the marathon at the World Championships four years ago. Proud to represent Israel, Salpeter has spent much of her training time in Iten, Kenya. She will be making her first visit to India as she continues her return from a hamstring injury sustained in May.

“I am proud to represent Israel. People there have embraced me and are always proud of me. This is my first visit to India, and I am looking forward to Sunday, although I am still coming back from an injury. I will see how things go on race day,” she said. 

International Elite Field: Men

1	Samwel Masai	Kenya	00:58:48
2	Birhanu Legese	Ethiopia	00:58:59
3	Charles Mbatha Matata	Kenya	00:59:15
4	Samwel Mailu	Kenya	00:59:19
5	Jamal Kiprono	Kenya	00:59:55
6	Tesfaye Deriba	Ethiopia	00:59:56
7	Stanley Waithaka	Kenya	01:00:17
8	Dennis Kipruto	Kenya	01:00:51
9	Daniel Sinda	Tanzania	01:00:36
10	Melaku Belachew	Ethiopia	01:01:19
11	Charles Rotich	Kenya	01:01:39
12	Kasu Tsegaye	Ethiopia	01:01:56
13	Bereket Zeleke	Ethiopia	01:02:27
14	Negasa Dekeba	Ethiopia
15	Benson Kiplangat	Kenya	DEBUT
16	Daniel Zewudu Bekel	Ethiopia	DEBUT
17	Amanuel Teshome	Kenya
	PACERS
1	Ayana Geneti	Ethiopia
2	Shadrack Kibiwot	Kenya

International Elite Field: Women

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	Wudinesh Alemu			Ethiopia	1:08:08
7	Kiros Muaz			Ethiopia	1:09:09
8	Caren Chebet			Kenya	1:09:22
9	Selah Buseinei			Kenya	1:09:54
10	Abera Hulageresh			Ethiopia	1:10:09
11	Meselech Alemayehu			Ethiopia	1:07:42
12	Maryam Lufti Njoki			Kenya	1:12:27
13	Sewareg Makenoen			Ethiopia
14		Silnat Bitwe	Ethiopia			DEBUT
15		Wubrist Aschal	Ethiopia			DEBUT
16		Worknesh Yehualaw	Ethiopia			DEBUT
		Pacers
1		Emmanuel Kibet	Kenya
2		Shadrack Kipkemboi	Kenya

LIVE TELECAST

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Ram. Muralikrishnan
Running India News Service