New Delhi, 18 October (H.S.): Kenya’s Charles Matata clinched the men’s elite title at the Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, setting a new course record, while Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu won the women’s elite race. Among Indian runners, Shailesh Kushwaha topped the men’s category, while Ankita Dhayani emerged as the leading Indian finisher in the women’s event.

Matata completed the race in 58 minutes and 52 seconds, shaving one second off the previous course record of 58 minutes and 53 seconds set by Ethiopia’s Amdework Walelegn in 2020. In addition to the winner’s prize of $27,000, Matata will receive an additional bonus of $12,000 for breaking the course record.

Matata’s twin brother, Alex Matata, had won the title in 2025 with a time of 59 minutes and 50 seconds. Kenyan runners dominated the men’s elite race this year, with Samuel Nyamai Melu finishing second in 59 minutes and 24 seconds, followed by Stanley Waithaka Mburu, who secured third place in 59 minutes and 33 seconds.

In the women’s elite race, Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu claimed the title after completing the course in one hour, six minutes and 35 seconds. Kenya’s Selah Businei finished second in 1:07:01, while Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony took third place in 1:07:32.

### Shailesh Kushwaha and Ankita Dhayani Lead Indian Runners

In the Indian men’s elite category, Shailesh Kushwaha finished first with a time of 1:05:05. Gaurav Mathur secured second place in 1:05:11, while Hemant Kumar finished third in 1:05:37.

In the Indian women’s elite category, Ankita Dhayani claimed the top position after completing the race in 1:12:46. Sonia finished second in 1:14:56, while Bhagirathi took third place in 1:15:51.

Total Prize Money Exceeds $275,000

The Delhi Half Marathon 2026 offered total prize money of $275,732. The winners of the men’s and women’s elite races received $27,000 each.

In the Indian elite categories, the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s races were set to receive prize money of Rs 3.5 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh, respectively.

The World Athletics Gold Label event attracted more than 40,000 participants, who took to the streets of the national capital for the race. The course had been modified for this year’s edition, with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium serving as both the starting and finishing point for the half marathon and the open 10-kilometre race, along with all other major events.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar