Team Kenya is set to return to Nairobi on Tuesday, September 22, morning after a seven-medal campaign at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The 16-athlete squad won three gold, three silver and one bronze medal during the championships held on September 19 and 20, with Agnes Jebet Ngetich providing the headline performance in the women’s half marathon.
Ngetich won the race in 1:05:15, setting a new women-only world record over the distance. Her victory was followed by another Kenyan medal as Veronica Loleo finished second in 1:06:05, while Daisilah Jerono came fourth in 1:06:13.
The three athletes also delivered Kenya’s gold in the women’s team competition. Their combined time of 3:17:33 secured the team title.
Kenya’s men matched that achievement in the half marathon team event. Nicholas Kipkorir took individual silver after finishing in 58:11, with Gideon Rono placing fifth and Alex Nzioka Matata eighth. Their combined performances earned Kenya the men’s team gold.
Caroline Makandi Gitonga added Kenya’s sixth medal with silver in the women’s 5km, clocking 14:48. Mirriam Cherop then completed the country’s medal haul with bronze in the women’s road mile after running 4:25.71.
The seven medals put Kenya at the top of the championship medal standings, according to the official competition results.
The athletes will now return to the country for a homecoming following their performances in the Danish capital. Athletics Kenya says the team is expected at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 5:25am on Tuesday, aboard Emirates flight EK717.
The federation has invited members of the media, athletics stakeholders, fans and members of the public to welcome the team.
Ngetich’s world record will be one of the defining moments of Kenya’s campaign in Copenhagen, alongside the country’s success in both the men’s and women’s team competitions.
With the championships now concluded, the athletes return home having contributed seven medals to Kenya’s international athletics record, including three individual silvers and bronze alongside the three gold medals won across the individual and team events.
