Kenya's Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba broke the Istanbul Marathon course record after clocking 2:08:44.9 to win the men's race on Sunday, November 1, 2026, lowering the previous mark by 59 seconds in Turkey.
Kipchumba erased the previous record of 2:09:44 set by compatriot Daniel Kibet in 2019, establishing a new benchmark in the 48th edition of the annual marathon.
The Kenyan finished ahead of Ethiopia's Sufaro Woliyi Kebeto, who clocked 2:08:54.7 to take second place, while another Kenyan, Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh, completed the podium in 2:08:57.7.
The result gave Kenya two of the three podium positions in the men's competition, with Kipchumba's record-breaking victory highlighting the country's continued strength in international distance running.
Kipchumba's achievement was particularly significant given that the previous course record had also belonged to a Kenyan athlete. By taking 59 seconds off Kibet's mark, he raised the standard for future competitors on one of the most distinctive marathon routes in the world.
The Istanbul Marathon is recognised as the world's only intercontinental marathon because its route takes runners between Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus Strait. It is organised by Spor Istanbul, a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, with Türkiye İş Bankası as its title sponsor. The 42.195-kilometre course begins on Istanbul's Asian side, crosses the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and finishes in the European section of the city.
The 48th edition brought together elite international distance runners and thousands of recreational participants, making it a major event on the international road-running calendar.
While Kenya secured the men's title and two podium places, Ethiopia dominated the women's competition, sweeping all three positions.
Kasanesh Ayenew Baze won the women's marathon in 2:24:40.6, finishing ahead of compatriot Azmera Abreha Gdey, who clocked 2:24:47, while Diribe Hirko Alemu secured third place in 2:25:00.
The Ethiopian sweep contrasted with the men's competition, where Kenya's presence at the top of the standings was reinforced by Kipchumba's victory and Ronoh's third-place finish.
Kipchumba's success also added to Kenya's strong marathon performances over the weekend, with Sheila Chepkirui reclaiming the women's New York City Marathon title on Sunday.
Chepkirui's victory in New York and Kipchumba's course-record performance in Istanbul gave Kenya two major international marathon victories on the same day, underlining the country's continued influence in elite long-distance running.
