Kenyan marathon star Ruth Chepngetich has been confirmed as the headline elite runner for the 2025 EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, scheduled for March 9. She is the first elite athlete announced for this year’s prestigious event.

Chepngetich, 30, made history as the first woman to break the 2:10-hour barrier in a marathon. She currently holds the women’s marathon world record, clocking a stunning 2:09:56 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Chasing the Lisbon Half Marathon Course Record

Competing in Lisbon will serve as preparation for Chepngetich ahead of the London Marathon, and she is expected to pose a serious challenge to the Lisbon course record of 1:05:30, set by Almaz Ayana in 2023.

For reference, during her world-record marathon run in Chicago, Chepngetich hit the halfway mark in 1:04:16, just 14 seconds shy of her personal best (1:04:02, Istanbul 2021)—a time that is well below the current Lisbon course record.

“I’m excited to announce that I’ll be running the Lisbon Half Marathon on March 9th. I can’t wait. See you soon, Lisbon!” Chepngetich said, as quoted by MCP.

A Decorated Career in Long-Distance Running

Beyond holding the marathon world record, Chepngetich has an impressive resume, featuring:

1.2019 World Marathon Champion (Doha)
2.Three-time Chicago Marathon winner (2021, 2022, 2024)
3.Back-to-back Nagoya Marathon titles (2022, 2023)
4.Dubai Marathon winner (2019)
5.Istanbul Marathon champion (2018)

She is also the sixth-fastest woman in half-marathon history with her 1:04:02 time in Istanbul (2021).

With her remarkable speed and endurance, she is a strong contender to break the Lisbon Half Marathon record on March 9.

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