More than 150 athletes participated in Eritrea’s 31st National Half Marathon Competition in Mendefera on Sunday, 9 August 2026.
Organised by the National Athletics Federation of Eritrea, the competition drew athletes from the Southern, Central, and Gash-Barka regions, as well as the Ministry of Defence’s Denden Club.
In the men’s half-marathon, Major Tedros from the Southern Region secured first place with a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 41 seconds. Teklehaimanot Berhane, also from the Southern Region, finished second, followed by Saimon Mebrahtu from Denden Club in third.
In the women’s half-marathon, Olympian Nazareth Woldu from the Gash-Barka Region claimed victory, completing the race in 1 hour, 19 minutes, and 1 second. Mikal Tsegazeab and Olympian Dolci Tesfu, both representing Denden Club, finished second and third, respectively.
In the men’s five-kilometre race, Yobel Zerit from the Central Region won with a time of 14 minutes, 14 seconds, and 3 microseconds. For the women’s five-kilometre category, Delina from the Central Region finished first in 16 minutes, 43 seconds, and 24 microseconds.
The one-mile race saw Fitsum Abraham from the Southern Region win the men’s category, while Canary Teklemariam from the Central Region won the women’s category.
