Delhi Half Marathon: Asian Games runner beaten, Matata sets course record

Kenya's Charles Matata broke the course record to win the men's elite race at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, clocking 58:52. Shailesh Kushwaha led the Indian men's field, finishing ahead of Asian Games runner Kartik Karkera.

Kenya's Charles Matata shattered the course record to win the men's elite race at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, while Shailesh Kushwaha emerged as the best Indian finisher in the men's race.

Matata clocked 58 minutes and 52 seconds to better the previous course record of 58:53, set by Ethiopia's Amedework Walelegn in 2020, by one second. He will pocket an additional USD 12,000 (Rs 11,39,586) for breaking the event record, besides the winner's purse of USD 27,000 (Rs 25,64,068).

Matata's twin brother, Alex Matata, had won the 2025 edition with a time of 59 minutes and 50 seconds.

Kenyans swept the top three positions in the men's elite race, with Samwel Nyamai Mailu (59:24) and Stanley Waithaka Mburu (59:33) finishing second and third, respectively.

In the women's elite race, Ethiopia's Wudinesh Alemu claimed the title with a time of one hour, six minutes and 35 seconds. Kenyans Selah Businei (1:07:01) and Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony (1:07:32) finished second and third, respectively.

SHAILESH KUSHWAHA LEADS INDIANS

Shailesh Kushwaha won the men's Indian elite race with a time of one hour, five minutes and five seconds. Gaurav Mathur finished second in 1:05:11, while Hemant Kumar took third place with a time of 1:05:37.

Kushwaha finished ahead of Kartik Karkera, who represented India at the 2026 Asian Games in the men's marathon category. Karkera clocked 1:07:05, finishing well behind the top three Indian runners.

Among the Indian elite women, Ankita Dhyani took the top spot with a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 46 seconds. Soniya (1:14:56) and Bhagirathi (1:15:51) finished second and third, respectively.

The 2026 edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon offered a total prize purse of USD 275,732, with the men's and women's elite winners each receiving USD 27,000.

The top three finishers in the Indian elite men's and women's categories will receive Rs 3,50,000, Rs 2,50,000 and Rs 1,50,000, respectively.

Over 40,000 participants hit the streets of the national capital for the World Athletics Gold Label Race.

The event featured a revised route, with all major races, including the Half Marathon and the Open 10K, starting and finishing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.