Košice Marathon: Adam Lipschitz gives South Africa its first victory in 103 editions

South African Adam Nathan Lipschitz won the 103rd edition of the Košice Peace Marathon in Slovakia on Sunday, October 4, 2026, with a time of 2:07:22. This is the first time an athlete from South Africa has won this event, one of the oldest on the global calendar.

Lipschitz, who set a personal best, finished ahead of two Kenyans: Abednego Cheruiyot, second in 2:07:53, and Moses Kipngetich Kemei, third in 2:08:04. Turkey's Kaan Kigen Özbilen took fourth place in 2:08:23, ahead of Ethiopian Weyifen Dejene Mulisa (2:08:41).

A top 10 in the continent's colors

Beyond the winner, the final standings reflect a now-routine dominance. Eight of the top nine runners are African: six Kenyans, one Ethiopian, and the South African. Erick Kiplangat Rotich (2:09:12), Edmond Kipngetich (2:09:31), Vincent Mutai (2:10:18), and Elias Kipchumba Maiyo round out this massive presence, according to results published by Athletics Illustrated and Watch Athletics.

In the women's race, the podium was entirely East African. Ethiopian Aberash Fayesa Robi won in 2:21:55, ahead of her compatriot Nurit Ahmed Samiro (2:25:04) and Kenyan Tecla Jelimo Kibet (2:29:57). The top seven finishers in the race were either Ethiopian or Kenyan.

More than 19,000 runners, 74 countries

This edition brought together more than 19,000 participants from 74 countries, according to the Slovak public radio station STVR, which highlighted the unprecedented nature of the South African victory in the event's history. On the Slovak side, the national half-marathon titles went to Veronika Páleníková and Jakub Jenčuš.

Lipschitz's success serves as a reminder that the map of African long-distance running is not limited to the Kenya-Ethiopia-Eritrea triangle. South Africa is now producing runners capable of finishing road marathons in under 2:08. This figure opens up new horizons: at this level of performance, the major World Marathon Majors and selections for international championships become realistic goals.

For a continent that provides the majority of marathon winners worldwide, the challenge remains the same: to transform these individual victories, often achieved far from home, into circuits, prize money, and structures established within Africa.