Kenya’s Alex Nzioka Matata and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk delivered commanding performances to win the men’s and women’s elite races, respectively, at the Delhi Half Marathon 2025 on Sunday.
Matata, who finished runners-up last year, ran a tactically flawless race to clock 59:50 seconds, comfortably securing his maiden title in Delhi.
Rengeruk, meanwhile, showcased her class and composure to edge out her Ethiopian rivals, clocking 1:07:20 seconds to take the women’s crown despite challenging humid conditions in the Indian capital.
It was just the second time in the event’s history that Kenyan runners won both men’s and women’s titles in the same edition. Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkurui were the first ones to achieve such honours in 2006.
For Matata, it was a near-perfect outing. The 28-year-old led for most of the race and looked in control throughout, finishing ahead of Ethiopia’s Bayelign Teshager (1:00:22) and fellow Kenyan James Kipkogei (1:00:25).
It was Matata’s fifth title of the year, including the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February, where he finished with a personal best of 59:20.
The Delhi Half Marathon record stands at 58:53.
“This might be my best race of the season,” Matata said after his win. “The course record was not on my mind coming here, the only goal was to win the race and I ran without any pressure, which wasn’t the case last year.”
In the women’s field, Rengeruk produced a thrilling late surge to pip Ethiopia’s Melal Siyoum Biratu (1:07:21) to the finish line. Mulat Tekle of Ethiopia (1:07:29) completed the podium. Last year’s winner, Alemaddis Eyayu, finished seventh in 1:10:51.
Earlier this year, Rengeruk claimed the Prague Half Marathon title and previously won the Bengaluru World 10K in India. Her personal best is 1:03:32, achieved in Valencia last year.
Among Indian runners, Abhishek Pal and debutant Seema emerged as the top finishers in the men’s and women’s fields, respectively.
Pal clocked 1:04:17 to win the men’s crown, while Seema stormed to victory in the women’s section with a timing of 1:11:23. Meanwhile, defending champion Lili Das clocked 1:16:27 to place fourth.
Abhishek Pal came close to breaking his personal best of 1:04:07, set in Delhi in 2023, but narrowly missed the mark.
The 2025 edition marked the 20th anniversary of the Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race.
Delhi Half Marathon 2025 results and winners
International men’s elite race
- Alex Matata (KEN) – 59:50
- Bayelign Teshager (ETH) – 1:00:22
- James Kipkogei (KEN) – 1:00:25
Indian men’s elite race
- Abhishek Pal – 1:04:17
- Kiran Matre – 1:04:57
- Kartik Karkera – 1:05:16
International women’s elite race
- Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) – 1:07:20
- Melal Siyoum Biratu (ETH) – 1:07:21
- Mulat Tekle (ETH) – 1:07:29
Indian women’s elite race
- Seema – 1:11:23
- Ujala – 1:15:41
- Sanjivani Jadhav – 1:15:52
