Taferi and Dusha Lead Ethiopian Sweep at 2026 Athens Marathon

Ethiopia celebrated a double victory at the 2026 Athens Marathon, the Authentic, on Sunday, November 8, as Manazot Siyoum Taferi broke the men’s course record and Yatane Kormoshe Dusha set a women’s event record at the historic Panathenaic Stadium. Taferi won in 2:10:03, while Dusha claimed the women’s title in 2:30:04.

The return of international elite fields to the 43rd edition produced Ethiopian one-two finishes in both races. Asefa Tefera Mengisha followed Taferi home in 2:10:18, with Kenya’s Patrick Keter Kiplagat third in 2:11:22. In the women’s race, Tsiyon Abebe Temesgen finished runner-up in 2:30:29, ahead of American Jane Jepkemboi Bareikis in 2:32:59.

Taferi reached halfway in 1:06:50 and passed 30 kilometres in 1:35:02 before completing a strong second half on the demanding route from Marathon to Athens. His winning performance took 31 seconds off the previous course record of 2:10:34, established by Edwin Kiptoo in 2023. Mengisha also finished inside the former mark, ending just 15 seconds behind the winner.

The leading Ethiopian pair separated from their rivals after 35 kilometres, with the contest remaining unresolved until the final kilometre. Dusha and Temesgen similarly broke clear after halfway in the women’s race before Dusha prevailed late. Her 2:30:04 improved the event record of 2:31:06 set by Lithuania’s Rasa Drazdauskaitė in 2010; SEGAS distinguished that achievement from the women’s course record.

Behind the men’s podium, Kenya’s Vincent Kipsang Rono finished fourth in 2:12:06, followed by Eritrea’s Nguse Amlosom Tesfaldet in 2:12:20 and Kenya’s Victor Biwott in 2:14:10.

Stamatia Noula delivered a standout performance for the host nation, placing sixth overall in 2:35:13 and setting the fastest time by a Greek woman on the historic course. Konstantinos Stamoulis was the leading Greek man, finishing eighth overall in 2:17:37.

Top Men

Top Women

SEE FULL RESULTS HERE.