© Zurich Barcelona Marathon
Barcelona Marathon 2026: Fotyen Tesfay delivers the second-fastest time in history on her debut
Some debuts go unnoticed. Others make history. On Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Barcelona Marathon, Ethiopian runner Fotyen Tesfay delivered a phenomenal performance, winning in 2:10:51—the second-fastest marathon time in history, in her very first attempt over the distance. A stunning debut over 42.195 km that could mark the arrival of a new queen of the roads. In the men’s race, Uganda’s Abel Chelangat shone with a victory in 2:04:57.
| Fotyen Tesfay runs 2:10:51… in her very first marathon
A specialist of the 10,000 meters, 7th at the Paris 2024 Olympics and 8th at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, Tesfay had already shown in recent seasons that she possessed enormous potential on the roads. In 2024, she revealed herself on the half marathon with a 1:03:21 performance, becoming the third-fastest woman in history over the distance. Since then, all eyes were on her marathon debut. And under the Spanish sun in Barcelona, she delivered.
Starting at a blistering pace, Tesfay passed 10 km in 31:05 and Half marathon in 1:05:05. Still supported by male pacemakers, she maintained an incredible rhythm through 30 km in 1:32:00. Her goal? Nothing less than the controversial world record of 2:09:56 held by Ruth Chepngetich. Unlike the Kenyan, Tesfay adopted a slightly more conservative approach early on, aiming for a negative split.
All indicators were still green at 35 km, where she was on world record pace. At 40 km, she passed in 2:03:31—still within striking distance. But then came an unexpected factor: wind in the final kilometers, which slowed her down and ended her record attempt. She gritted her teeth and held on to finish in 2:10:51, less than a minute off the world record. For a debut marathon, it is an extraordinary performance.
A historic performance
✔ Fastest marathon debut in history
✔ New Ethiopian national record
✔ Second-fastest marathon performance of all time
“Today was fantastic. My plan was to go for the world record, but there was a lot of wind at the end,” she said at the finish. “I didn’t make it this time, but I’d like to try again in my next marathon.”
Behind her:
Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo finished second in 2:18:42
Zeineba Yimer took third in 2:18:49
Still outstanding performances under 2:20.
Women’s Results
1. Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia) – 2:10:51 (course record)
2. Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo (Kenya) – 2:18:42
3. Zeineba Yimer Worku (Ethiopia) – 2:18:49
4. Chaltu Chimdesa Kumsa (Ethiopia) – 2:23:32
5. Yalganesh Eskamech Gedefa (Ethiopia) – 2:24:05
6. Carolina Robles (Spain) – 2:24:58
7. Lucy Nthenya Ndambuki (Kenya) – 2:28:02
8. Gladys Tejeda (Peru) – 2:29:51
9. Sofia Assefa Abebe (Ethiopia) – 2:31:27
10. Loréna Meningand (France) – 2:31:50
| Abel Chelangat wins the men’s race after a fierce duel
The men’s race was more tactical.
Abel Chelangat and Patrick Mosin gradually broke away from the pack in the second half of the race and entered the final kilometers together.
On the wide avenues of Barcelona, Chelangat made his decisive move after the final aid station around 40 km, dropping his rival for good.
He won in 2:04:57, setting a new personal best, ahead of Mosin (2:05:01) and Jonathan Korir (2:05:29).
A strong performance on a fast course that confirms Barcelona as one of the fastest marathons in Europe. Alongside Valencia and Seville, Spain continues to establish itself as a true land of records.
Men’s Results
1. Abel Chelangat (Uganda) – 2:04:57
2. Patrick Kabirech Mosin (Kenya) – 2:05:01
3. Jonathan Samanayo Korir (Kenya) – 2:05:29
4. Moses Kipngetich Kemei (Kenya) – 2:05:53
5. Kaan Kigen Özbilien (Turkey) – 2:06:01
6. Haile Tigabu Desta (Ethiopia) – 2:06:20
7. Timothy Kipkorir Kattam (Kenya) – 2:06:42
8. Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba (Kenya) – 2:06:55
9. Mekuant Ayenew Gebre (Ethiopia) – 2:07:42
10. Vincent Kipkorir Kigen (Kenya) – 2:07:46
| French highlights: Loréna Meningand shines
From the French side, several performances stood out. Pierre Langin finished 21st overall with a strong 2:15:49 personal best. Loréna Meningand delivered one of the biggest surprises Already the top French finisher at the Paris Marathon in 2025, Meningand finished in the top 10 in 2:31:50, improving her personal best by nearly five minutes. A remarkable progression for the Paris-based runner, who shares her training journey daily on social media. This result confirms her rise on the marathon scene and places her on the verge of the professional level.
| Sam Laidlow forced to withdraw
The Barcelona Marathon also marked the highly anticipated marathon debut of Sam Laidlow, the 2023 IRONMAN World Champion, racing a standalone marathon without swimming or cycling beforehand.
Known as one of the fastest runners in Ironman triathlon (with a 2:37 Ironman marathon), Laidlow started with ambitious targets around 2:22:30.
Unfortunately, he was forced to drop out at 14 km due to cramps and muscular pain.
A reminder that even for elite endurance athletes, the marathon remains a brutal and unique challenge.
With a fast course, favorable weather, and a deep international field, Barcelona continues to establish itself as one of the fastest marathons in the world. But this 2026 edition will be remembered above all for the emergence of a new star. Because in her very first marathon, Fotyen Tesfay didn’t just win—she immediately entered the history books. 2:10:51. A time from another planet. The second-fastest performance ever. And at just 28 years old, her journey on the roads is probably only just beginning.
✔ Full results of the Barcelona Marathon 2026
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist