Jepkosgei Breaks Course Record as Kiprotich Completes Kenyan Double at Cardiff Half Marathon
Joyciline Jepkosgei set a women’s course record and Gideon Kiprotich claimed the men’s title as Kenya celebrated a winning double at the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday, October 4. Jepkosgei clocked 1:05:40, lowering Edith Chelimo’s 2017 course record by 12 seconds, while Kiprotich crossed the finish line in 59:34.
Jepkosgei faced a strong challenge from Ethiopia’s Wede Kefale before making her decisive move around Roath Park Lake with approximately three miles remaining. The Kenyan maintained her advantage through the closing stages to finish 14 seconds clear of Kefale, who ran 1:05:54. Ethiopia’s Tigist Tesema completed the podium in 1:07:23.
In the men’s race, Kiprotich pulled away from defending champion Yismaw Dillu around the nine-mile mark. He continued strongly to secure victory by 44 seconds, although Dillu’s course record of 59:22 remained intact. The Ethiopian finished second in 1:00:18, with Bahrain’s Jonah Rutio taking third in 1:01:13.
There was also success for the home athletes. Lloyd Sheppard-Brown won the Welsh men’s half marathon title on his debut over the distance, finishing eighth overall in 1:03:43. Natasha Wilson claimed the Welsh women’s crown and placed sixth overall in 1:10:34.
The event’s 23rd edition attracted more than 30,000 registrations across the race weekend. Organisers also reported a record international entry, with more than 5,700 participants from 99 countries registering for the Cardiff race.
TOP RESULTS MEN'S HALF MARATHON
| Pos | Athlete | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gideon Kiprotich | 59:34 |
| 2 | Yismaw Dillu | 1:00:18 |
| 3 | Jonah Rutio | 1:01:13 |
| 4 | Simon Maywa | 1:01:36 |
| 5 | Gemechu Tolosa | 1:01:51 |
| 6 | Takato Suzuki | 1:02:09 |
| 7 | Arturs Medveds | 1:02:20 |
| 8 | Lloyd Sheppard-Brown | 1:03:41 |
| 9 | Logan Rees | 1:03:56 |
| 10 | Sean Tobin | 1:04:35 |
TOP RESULTS WOMEN'S HALF MARATHON
| Pos | Athlete | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joyciline Jepkosgei | 1:05:40 |
| 2 | Wede Kefale | 1:05:54 |
| 3 | Tigist Tesema | 1:07:23 |
| 4 | Winnie Kimutai | 1:07:50 |
| 5 | Emebet Kebede | 1:09:45 |
| 6 | Natasha Wilson | 1:10:34 |
| 7 | Giovanna Epis | 1:11:53 |
| 8 | Kayley Price | 1:14:01 |
| 9 | Tracy Barlow | 1:16:02 |
| 10 | Emily Bradley | 1:16:32 |
