Kenya produced another commanding display of marathon strength at the 2026 Kuala Lumpur Marathon, with Ezekiel Kemboi Omullo taking the men’s title as Kenyan runners occupied nine of the top 10 places.
Omullo crossed the finish line in 2:21:15, narrowly beating compatriot John Nzau Mwangangi, who finished eight seconds behind in 2:21:23.
Moses Kibet Kipsang completed an all-Kenyan podium after clocking 2:21:34, while Samuel Kalalei recorded the same time to finish fourth.
The race was decided by small margins at the front, with five Kenyan runners finishing within 25 seconds of the winner. James Tallam was fifth in 2:21:40, followed by Julius Kipkorir Tuwei in 2:22:10.
Ethiopia’s Asmera Tamiru Beshir was the only non-Kenyan to break into the top seven, finishing seventh in 2:22:28.
Kenya’s dominance continued behind him, with Vincent Kipsang Mutai taking eighth in 2:23:08, Edwin Cheruiyot Soi ninth in 2:23:53 and Felix Kipsang Mutai completing the top 10 in 2:25:24.
The result gave Kenya nine of the first 10 finishers, including all of the top six places.
For Omullo, the victory adds another marathon success to a season in which he has already posted a 2:12:47 at the Sao Paulo Marathon in April.
His Kuala Lumpur victory, however, was secured in a much tighter contest, with Mwangangi remaining within striking distance throughout the closing stages.
The depth of the Kenyan challenge was particularly evident in the battle for the podium. Kipsang and Kalalei could not be separated on the official clock, both finishing in 2:21:34, while Tallam was only six seconds further back.
The performance once again highlighted Kenya’s strength in road racing, where large fields of athletes continue to compete for international victories across the marathon circuit.
2026 Kuala Lumpur Marathon – Men’s Top 10
- Ezekiel Kemboi Omullo, Kenya – 2:21:15
- John Nzau Mwangangi, Kenya – 2:21:23
- Moses Kibet Kipsang, Kenya – 2:21:34
- Samuel Kalalei, Kenya – 2:21:34
- James Tallam, Kenya – 2:21:40
- Julius Kipkorir Tuwei, Kenya – 2:22:10
- Asmera Tamiru Beshir, Ethiopia – 2:22:28
- Vincent Kipsang Mutai, Kenya – 2:23:08
- Edwin Cheruiyot Soi, Kenya – 2:23:53
- Felix Kipsang Mutai, Kenya – 2:25:24
Omullo took the individual honours, but the bigger story in Kuala Lumpur was Kenya’s collective strength, with the country accounting for almost the entire leading group.
