Matata Breaks Course Record, 19-Year-Old Alemu Stuns Favourites In Delhi

Kenya’s Charles Mbatha Matata shattered the course record to win the men’s title at the 2026 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, while Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Wudinesh Alemu Keneni stunned the favourites to claim the women’s crown.

Matata clocked a personal best of 58:52 to shave one second off the previous course record of 58:53 set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020 at the 21st edition of the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race in New Delhi.

The 29-year-old Kenyan, who finished second in Delhi in 2023, also continued his family’s success at the event after his twin brother, Alex Matata, won the 2025 edition in 59:50.

Matata took control after pacer Emmanuel Yegon led the men through the opening quarter in a record-setting 13:56. He passed 10km in 27:41 and 15km in 41:39 before reaching 20km in 55:53, confirming his record-breaking pace.

He finished ahead of compatriots Samwel Nyamai Mailu, who clocked 59:24, and Stanley Waithaka Mburu, who came third in 59:33, as Kenya swept the men’s podium.

Ethiopia’s two-time champion Birhanu Legese finished fourth in 1:00:33, missing out on a third title.

Matata, who won the Rimi Riga Marathon in May in 59:15, collected $42,000, comprising the $27,000 winner’s prize, a $12,000 course-record bonus and $3,000 for breaking the 60-minute barrier.

‘I came to Delhi well prepared, having maintained my fitness as I knew I would be racing here. I was hoping to run in the 59-minute range, but the excellent weather and my familiarity with the course from 2023 helped me deliver an even stronger performance and set a course record,’ he said.

“I believe no human is limited, and I am ready to push myself further.’

Mailu, meanwhile, celebrated his return to the podium after an injury in February disrupted his racing schedule.

‘My comeback was not easy, as I suffered an injury in February that forced me to cancel several races and a marathon. I am grateful to have returned strongly and finished on the podium,’ he said.

In the women’s race, Alemu delivered a breakthrough performance to win in 1:06:35, improving her personal best by almost two minutes and defeating a field featuring several pre-race favourites.

The Ethiopian, who had competed in just one half marathon before arriving in Delhi, remained among the leading runners before making her decisive move in the final quarter.

Kenya’s Irine Cheptai had led the early stages, taking the field through 5km in 15:55, but Alemu proved strongest when it mattered.

She pulled clear in the closing stages and crossed the finish line ahead of Kenya’s Selah Jepleting Busienei, who clocked 1:07:01, and Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony, who finished third in 1:07:32.

Cheptai, who mounted a late challenge for the podium, finished fourth in 1:07:33.

‘I am very happy with my performance. I ran a strong race from the start and maintained my pace throughout. This is only my second international half marathon, and I have improved my personal best by almost two minutes, which makes me very happy,’ Alemu said.

‘I have been running for only two years, so I am still learning and developing as an athlete. I hope to continue improving, gain more experience and build a strong career in distance running.’