Kenyan long-distance runner Abraham Kiptum returned to the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon with a mission to claim the men’s 42km title, and he delivered on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after missing the previous edition.

Kiptum’s victory in Nairobi comes just over two months after he demonstrated his marathon credentials by winning the men’s full marathon at the 2026 CRDB Bank International Marathon in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on August 16, 2026.

After storming to victory on Sunday, Kiptum said: “Today’s race has been great, from the start to the finish line. Everything went well. I was well-prepared for this race. For now, I am going to focus on family matters and prepare for the upcoming races,” he said.

Elsewhere, Mercy Kandie won the women’s 42km race.

The Kenyan clocked 2:15:33 to win the 42km race in Tanzania, finishing ahead of compatriot James Mwangi, who recorded 2:16:11. Tanzania’s Marco Sylvester took third place in 2:16:33.

His latest triumph in Nairobi adds another achievement to a career that has taken him to some of the world’s major road races, although his return to competitive athletics has also followed a significant disciplinary setback.

From international success to a career setback

Born in Kenya on September 15, 1989, Kiptum established himself as a competitive distance runner through performances in road races and marathons. His personal bests listed by World Athletics include 59:09 in the half marathon and 2:05:26 in the full marathon.

He claimed the Daegu Marathon title in South Korea in 2018, recording 2:06:29, and finished third at the 2017 Amsterdam Marathon in 2:05:26. He also placed second at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Marathon in December 2018, although that result was later disqualified.

However, his career suffered a major setback in 2019 when the Athletics Integrity Unit imposed a four-year ban following an anti-doping rule violation involving his Athlete Biological Passport.

The suspension began on April 26, 2019, and his results dating back to October 13, 2018, were disqualified. That included his 58:18 performance at the Valencia Half Marathon, which had initially been celebrated as a world record.

Tanzania victory provided momentum

Kiptum’s triumph at the CRDB Bank International Marathon in August 2026 provided evidence of his ability to compete for honours in the full marathon.

His 2:15:33 performance secured victory in a race that attracted thousands of participants in Dar es Salaam. The Kenyan runners took the first two positions in the men’s 42km category, underlining their strength in the regional competition.

Returning to Kenya for the Nairobi Marathon, Kiptum had another opportunity to test himself on home soil and compete for the top prize in one of the country’s prominent road-running events.

The 2026 edition was scheduled to finish at Uhuru Gardens, with the 42km race among the event’s main attractions. The marathon continues to combine elite competition with mass participation and fundraising initiatives through the Standard Chartered Foundation.

For Kiptum, winning the Nairobi race after missing the 2025 edition represents a significant achievement in his return to the spotlight. His back-to-back marathon victories in Tanzania and Kenya also provide a strong foundation for his next competitive challenges.