RUTTO REPEATS, KIBIWOT SETS WOMEN'S COURSE RECORD AT 2026 ROME MARATHON

Asbel Rutto returned to Rome to repeat his 2024 victory at the Acea Run Rome The Marathon on Sunday, winning a sprint finish in 2:06:32 on the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Pascaline Kibiwot took the women's race in 2:22:44, setting a new women's course record and a personal best in her Rome debut.

Men's Race

The men's contest played out as a three-way battle for most of the afternoon. Rutto, who set the current men's course record of 2:06:18 when he won here two years ago, shared the front with Henry Tukor Kichana of Kenya and Ethiopian Lencho Tesfaye Anbesa through 30 kilometers with no decisive separation. As our preview anticipated, Rutto came in with both the title defense and his own course record on the line.

The outcome was settled late. Rutto edged Kichana by four seconds at the line, 2:06:32 to 2:06:36. Anbesa was third in 2:07:44. "About 500 meters from the finish, I began to realize that I would win this race," Rutto said afterward.

His winning time sits 14 seconds off his own course record. The men's mark stands from 2024.

Women's Race

Kibiwot moved at 25 km and was never challenged again. Crossing in 2:22:44, she improved the women's course record by eight seconds and posted a personal best. It was her first appearance in Rome.

"The race went well, I didn't expect to win and I'm very happy about it," Kibiwot said at the finish. "It's my first time here, the course is very beautiful and I'm very satisfied because I also improved my personal best."

Genet Tadesse Robi of Ethiopia finished second in 2:24:55. Compatriot Aberash Fayesa Robi was third in 2:25:43. The two-minute gap between first and second reflects how cleanly Kibiwot controlled the second half.

Context and What's Next

Sunday's 31st edition drew 36,000 starters from 166 countries, both records for the event. Rome served as the inaugural stage of the new European Marathon Classics circuit, a series that adds competitive structure for elite runners targeting multiple European marathon titles in a season.

For the history of the race through the city's historic center, this edition added a new women's course benchmark and a second consecutive men's champion. Kenya swept both titles for the second successive Rome edition. Rutto is now the only athlete with multiple recent victories at Rome, and Kibiwot owns the women's course record.