Kenya delivered a masterclass in distance running on Sunday as Collins Kemboi successfully defended his Geneva Marathon crown, leading an extraordinary clean sweep of the top five positions in the men’s race.

Kemboi powered to victory in a personal best of 2:08:52, slicing more than two minutes off his winning time from last year and underlining his rapid rise in the marathon ranks. His triumph came exactly a year after he first conquered the Swiss course in 2:11:37.

Behind Kemboi, compatriot Silas Kiprono Too secured second place in 2:09:16, while Simion Tarus Kiplimo completed the all-Kenyan podium with a personal best of 2:09:53.

Vincent Kiprono finished fourth in 2:11:49, and Mark Kiptoo sealed a remarkable 1–5 sweep for Kenya by clocking 2:12:20. Edwin Koech added further depth to the dominant display, placing seventh in 2:17:52.

The performance marked one of the most commanding collective showings by Kenyan athletes on European soil this season.

The 29-year-old Kemboi has steadily built his profile since making his marathon debut in 2024. He announced himself with victory in Münster, Germany, clocking 2:10:52 to lead another Kenyan sweep of the top four positions.

His second marathon appearance came in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he finished fifth in 2:19:47. However, it was in Geneva in 2025 that he made his breakthrough, capturing his first major international marathon title before successfully defending it on Sunday in his fourth career outing over the 42km distance.

For runner-up Too, the Geneva result continues a strong run of form. He had earlier placed second at the Hong Kong Marathon in January, clocking 2:09:56 behind Ethiopia’s Melaku Belachew.

Tarus, meanwhile, was making his first road appearance of the 2026 season, having closed his 2025 campaign with a fifth-place finish at the Porto Marathon.

In the women’s race, Patience Jebet Kimutai made a memorable marathon debut, storming to victory in 2:30:45. The Kenyan held off home favourite Fabienne Schlumpf of Switzerland, who finished second in 2:31:15.

Jackline Chepkoech ensured Kenya had two athletes on the women’s podium, taking third place in 2:31:18, also on her marathon debut.

The results capped a golden afternoon for Kenya in Geneva, with both the men’s and women’s races highlighting the country’s enduring depth and excellence in long-distance running.