Milano Marathon 2026 Results: Kibiwott Leads Kenyan Sweep as Chekole Takes Women’s Title

The 2026 Wizz Air Milano Marathon delivered a day of Kenyan dominance and Ethiopian excellence on Sunday, 6 April, as thousands of runners raced through the streets of Italy’s fashion capital. Vitalis Kibiwott of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:06:35, leading a Kenyan 1-2-3-4 in an emphatic display of depth. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Yeshi Kalayu Chekole claimed the title in 2:20:15, finishing nearly a minute clear of compatriot Eebbisee Addunyaa Iddeessaa. The World Athletics Label event attracted a strong international field and a packed mass-participation entry across the marathon, relay, and associated distances.

Men’s Race: Kibiwott Leads a Kenyan Clean Sweep

The men’s race belonged entirely to Kenya. Vitalis Kibiwott broke clear to win in 2:06:35, establishing a lead that his compatriots could not close. It was a measured, intelligent performance — Kibiwott judging the pace through the heart of Milan before pulling away decisively in the final stages.

Behind him, three more Kenyans completed an all-Kenyan top four. Amos Kiprotich Kiplagat took second in 2:08:14, with Laban Kiplimo just nine seconds further back in third at 2:08:23. The promising Elkana Kipkemei Kiprop was fourth in 2:08:42, running in the Promesse (U23) category.

Ethiopia’s Dinkalem Ayele Adane — a sub-59:30 half marathon runner who won the 2025 Lisbon Half Marathon — slotted into fifth in 2:08:46, just four seconds behind Kiprop. Uganda’s Naman Kipyego was sixth in 2:10:28, while Turkey’s Ilham Tanui Özbilen, a seasoned international campaigner, clocked 2:10:47 for seventh.

Italy’s Xavier Chevrier of Atletica Valli Bergamasche Leffe was the top local finisher in ninth with 2:11:50, a strong showing for the Italian distance running scene just days after Yemaneberhan Crippa’s historic Paris Marathon victory.

Men’s Marathon — Top 10

Women’s Race: Chekole Commands Ethiopian 1-2

Yeshi Kalayu Chekole was the class of the women’s field. The Ethiopian controlled the race throughout and crossed the finish line in 2:20:15, nearly a minute clear of compatriot Eebbisee Addunyaa Iddeessaa, who ran a strong 2:21:13 in the Promesse (U23) category for second place.

A significant gap then opened to third, where Ethiopia’s Sintayehu Tilahun Getahun clocked 2:25:29. Gebiyanesh Ayele Gedamu (2:25:54) and Kenya’s Naomy Chepkorir Tuei (2:26:06) completed the top five in a tightly-bunched chasing group.

Among the notable names further down the field was Kenya’s Judith Jeptum Korir — the 2022 Paris Marathon course record holder (2:19:48) — who finished eighth in 2:26:48. Kenya’s Lydia Naliaka Simiyu, a familiar name from the Rome Marathon circuit, was ninth in 2:28:20.

Women’s Marathon — Top 10

The Course: Running Through Italy’s Fashion Capital

The Wizz Air Milano Marathon takes runners on a fast, picturesque journey through the heart of one of Europe’s most stylish cities. The course winds through central Milan, passing some of the city’s most celebrated landmarks including the Duomo, the Castello Sforzesco, the Navigli canal district, and the San Siro stadium area.

With a predominantly flat profile and wide boulevards, the Milan course is well-suited to fast times and has increasingly attracted elite fields in recent years. The spring weather — typically mild and dry in early April — provides favourable conditions for racing, though the urban layout means runners encounter some tight turns and cobblestoned sections through the historic centre.

The event also features a popular charity relay, allowing teams of runners to cover the marathon distance together — a format that has helped grow participation and brought new runners into the sport across Italy.

Kenyan Power, Ethiopian Class

The 2026 Milano Marathon highlighted the contrasting strengths of East Africa’s two distance running powerhouses. Kenya’s depth in the men’s race was staggering — six Kenyans in the top 10, including the entire top four, demonstrated the nation’s unmatched ability to produce world-class marathon runners in volume.

Ethiopia’s strength, meanwhile, shone through in the women’s race. Four Ethiopians filled the top four positions, led by Chekole’s commanding 2:20:15. The presence of a talented U23 runner in Iddeessaa (2:21:13) points to the continued pipeline of Ethiopian women’s marathon talent that has driven the nation’s dominance over the distance in recent years.

Italy also had cause for celebration. Xavier Chevrier’s ninth-place finish in 2:11:50, representing Atletica Valli Bergamasche Leffe, was a solid performance and a reminder of the growing Italian presence in major marathon fields — coming on the same weekend that Crippa stunned the world in Paris.

Key Takeaways from Milano Marathon 2026

• Kibiwott’s authority: Vitalis Kibiwott’s 2:06:35 was a clear-cut victory — nearly two minutes ahead of second place — confirming his credentials at the sharp end of major European marathons.
• Kenyan 1-2-3-4: Kibiwott, Kiplagat, Kiplimo, and Kiprop swept the men’s top four in a display of Kenyan depth that few nations can rival.
• Chekole’s class: Yeshi Kalayu Chekole’s 2:20:15 was a well-controlled victory, finishing nearly a minute ahead of Iddeessaa to secure the Ethiopian women’s win.
• U23 talent on display: Both Elkana Kiprop (4th, men) and Eebbisee Iddeessaa (2nd, women) competed in the Promesse/U23 category, signalling the next generation of East African marathon talent.
• Big names in the field: Judith Jeptum Korir (Paris 2022 CR holder) finishing eighth and Dinkalem Ayele Adane (2025 Lisbon Half Marathon winner) in fifth demonstrated the quality throughout the field.
• Italian pride: Xavier Chevrier’s ninth place as the top Italian finisher capped an extraordinary weekend for Italian distance running alongside Crippa’s Paris victory.

Full official results including all finishers and relay teams are available on the Wizz Air Milano Marathon official site.