© Medio Maratón de Sevilla
Seville Half Marathon: a prestige victory for Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse
With its flat course and impressive depth, the Seville Half Marathon is one of the fastest half marathons in the world—and the 2026 edition proved it once again. On Sunday, January 25, the race delivered outstanding performances, highlighted by Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer Worku, who set a new course record in 1:06:33. In the men’s race, France’s Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse claimed victory in 1:00:24 after a thrilling finish, also securing a new personal best. Despite challenging weather with rain and wind, amateur runners turned out in force in the Andalusian capital: 20,000 registered and nearly 17,000 finishers. Marathons.com looks back on a unique edition, combining a true popular celebration with world-class performance.
| Zeineba Yimer dominates and shatters the course record
The women’s race was controlled from start to finish by Zeineba Yimer Worku, who simply flew through the field. Perfectly paced by Spanish pacer José Ignacio Giménez Pérez, she quickly broke away from her main rival, Kenyan Winnie Jepkosgei Kimutai, and crossed the line in 1:06:33.
The time is close to her personal best (1:05:39) and, above all, represents the fastest performance ever recorded in Seville, improving the previous course record by nearly 45 seconds. It is also the fifth-fastest women’s half marathon time worldwide this year.
Behind her, Winnie Jepkosgei Kimutai finished an excellent second in 1:07:45, setting a personal best. The podium was completed by Ethiopian Aminet Ahmed Abde in 1:09:11. Among Spanish athletes, Catalan Marta Galimany was the first Spaniard home, finishing fifth overall in 1:09:57, also a personal best.
Women’s top 3
1. Zeineba Yimer Worku (ETH) – 1:06:33
2. Winnie Jepkosgei Kimutai (KEN) – 1:07:45
3. Aminet Ahmed Abde (ETH) – 1:09:11
| Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse triumphs in a dramatic finale
The men’s race delivered edge-of-the-seat drama right to the final meters. A lead group of five quickly formed, including Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, running at sub-1:00 pace. The athletes shared the workload, helping each other sustain the blistering tempo.
As the race entered the narrow streets of Seville, things truly heated up. On rain-soaked roads, by around the 19 km mark only three runners remained in contention: Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, alongside Kenyans Owen Korir Kapkama and Jonathan Kipkoech Kamosong.
With 500 meters to go, just before the final turn onto Avenida María Luisa, Korir launched a sharp acceleration, dropping his compatriot. The Frenchman held firm, locked onto Korir’s shoulder—and in the final straight, he unleashed a powerful sprint to pass his rival just meters before the line.
At 30 years old, Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse claimed victory in 1:00:24 after a spectacular sprint finish, edging Korir by a single second (1:00:25). Jonathan Kipkoech Kamosong completed the podium in 1:00:33.
Men’s top 3
1. Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse (FRA) – 1:00:24
2. Owen Korir Kapkama (KEN) – 1:00:25
3. Jonathan Kipkoech Kamosong (KEN) – 1:00:33
| Spotlight on the French performances
➜ Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse: the perfect race
The 2025 French champion over the distance delivered exactly what he promised. Declaring beforehand that he wanted to lead from the front and race for the win, he produced a top-class performance in tough conditions.
✔ Personal best smashed (previous PB: 1:01:34)
✔ Average pace: 2:51/km (20.97 km/h)
✔ 10 km split: 28:42
Split times
➜ 5 km: 14:14 (2:50/km)
➜ 10 km: 28:42 (2:53/km)
➜ 15 km: 43:10 (2:53/km)
➜ Finish: 1:00:24 (2:49/km)
A smartly built victory: a fast start, controlled cruising pace, then a decisive acceleration in the final kilometers.
➜ Solid outings for Melody Julien and Ophélie Serra-Boxberger
Melody Julien finished sixth in 1:10:14. No personal best (1:09:15), but a strong performance at an average speed of 18 km/h—reassuring for the rest of her season.
Ophélie Serra-Boxberger set a new personal best in 1:10:46, finishing seventh overall just behind her compatriot. A very encouraging time in less-than-ideal weather, confirming her upward trajectory—possibly with a marathon on the horizon.
| A historic edition for Seville
Present on site, the Mayor of Seville praised a historic edition marked by record participation and an exceptional women’s performance. Despite poor weather, the organization and volunteers once again ensured that the running celebration shone through the streets of Andalusia. Attention now turns to the Seville Marathon, set to take place on February 15.
With 20,000 runners, a new women’s course record, and a thrilling sprint victory by Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, the 2026 Seville Half Marathon delivered a spectacular show and confirmed its status as a fast, popular, and unmissable event on the European winter racing calendar.
✔ Full results of the 2026 Seville Half Marathon
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist