Rodrigue Kwizera successfully defended his title at the Generali Prague Half Marathon, shattering the course record with a stunning 58:16. The Czech capital witnessed an elite masterclass as 16 personal bests were set at the front of the pack, while nearly 15,000 runners crossed the finish line.
Kwizera Attacks Late to Dip Under 58:20
The 2026 edition of the Prague Half Marathon, held on March 28, 2026, will be remembered for the blistering pace of the men’s elite race. Runners faced chilly but sunny conditions, with temperatures ranging from 1°C to 10°C (34°F to 50°F)—perfect weather for record-breaking performances. By the 5km mark, the leaders clocked 13:52, signaling a direct assault on the course record.
For much of the race, Kenya’s Owen Korir Kapkama dictated the tempo, while last year’s champion, Rodrigue Kwizera, sat tactically within a six-man leading group. At 10km, the clocks showed 27:50, projecting a finish around 58:40. However, the decisive move didn’t come until the final stages.
Around the 18km mark, Kwizera launched a solo surge, dropping his final challenger. The Burundian superstar crossed the line in 58:16, not only breaking the course record but also setting a new national record and the fifth-fastest time in the world for 2026.
Behind him, the battle for the podium was intense. Samwel Chebolei Masai took second in 58:48, followed by Owen Korir Kapkama in 58:58. Notably, the entire top three broke the 59-minute barrier, and 16 elite athletes walked away with new personal bests, solidifying Prague’s reputation as one of the fastest courses in Europe.
Gitonga Dominates from Start to Finish
The women’s race was equally high-caliber, dominated by Kenya’s Caroline Makandi Gitonga. Taking control from the gun, Gitonga worked seamlessly with her pacemaker to build an insurmountable lead. Her victory was never in doubt as she powered through the historic streets.
Gitonga crossed the finish line with a new personal best of 1:06:16. The race for the remaining spots was much tighter, with only 33 seconds separating the top three women. Jesca Chelangat secured second place (1:06:45), while Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony took third (1:06:49), also celebrating a new lifetime best.
One of the most inspiring stories of the day was Ednah Chepkorir Kurgat, a Kenyan-born American runner. Kurgat arrived in Prague following a heartbreaking mishap at the U.S. trials in Atlanta, where an organizational error led her off-course for an extra kilometer. In the Czech capital, she proved her resilience, finishing high in the elite field with a time of 1:08:25—a massive improvement over her previous personal best of 1:11:50.
Nearly 15,000 Finishers in the Heart of Prague
The 2026 Generali Prague Half Marathon was a massive success in terms of participation. A total of 14,812 runners finished at the historic city center, an increase of 641 over last year. The starting line featured 17,000 runners representing 117 nationalities.
Local fans also had plenty to cheer for. Jan Friš led the Czech men with a new personal best of 1:04:55, while home favorite Tereza Hrochová took the domestic title for the women in a solid 1:11:50.
Prague: A Destination for Fast Times
Once again, the Prague course proved it belongs among the elite circuits in Europe. Kwizera’s record and the flurry of personal bests confirm that the Czech capital is the place to go for fast times. The running world now looks ahead to next year to see if anyone can challenge the Burundian’s new benchmark.
