© Generali Marathon de Genève
Generali Geneva Marathon 2026: Collins Kemboi and Patience Kimutai take the win
Under perfect racing skies and in front of ever-growing crowds, the Generali Geneva Marathon delivered a huge weekend of running. Kenya’s Collins Kemboi claimed back-to-back victories along the shores of Lake Geneva in 2:08:52, while fellow Kenyan Patience Kimutai won the women’s race after a thrilling battle with Swiss marathon star Fabienne Schlumpf. Between fast times, record participation numbers and an entire city embracing the sport, Geneva confirmed that it is steadily becoming one of Europe’s rising marathon destinations.
From the opening kilometers, one feeling hovered over Geneva’s waterfront: this race was going to be fast. Very fast. For its 20th edition, the Generali Geneva Marathon offered a full-scale celebration of running, with everything that comes with it — elite performances, huge crowds, moments of chaos and plenty of emotion.
Kenyan elites came ready to light up the race, Switzerland’s home favorite delivered, more than 27,500 runners took part across all formats, and thousands of spectators lined the streets. Over two days, Geneva transformed into a giant playground for runners. And by Sunday morning, the marathon itself wasted no time getting started.
| Collins Kemboi takes back control in Geneva
Collins Kemboi, already victorious here in 2025, executed another perfectly controlled race to secure a second straight Geneva title in 2:08:52, setting a new personal best in the process. The course record stayed intact — Ethiopia’s Shumi Dechasa still owns the 2:06:59 mark set in 2021 — but the overall depth of the field stood out. Three men broke 2:10. Yes, three under 2:10.
Behind Kemboi, fellow Kenyan Silas Kiprono Too finished second in 2:09:16, while another Kenyan, Simion Tarus Kiplimo, completed the podium in 2:09:53. And the Kenyan dominance went even deeper. Vincent Kiprono and Mark Kiptoo Kosgey rounded out the top five in 2:11:49 and 2:12:20 respectively. Even Edwin Kipngetich Koech, only seventh overall, still clocked 2:17:52.
It was a collective masterclass. On the more exposed sections of the course, gaps opened gradually rather than through dramatic surges. Just relentless pressure and perfectly measured pacing — the kind Kenyan marathoners thrive on when conditions line up in their favor. And conditions played a huge role this weekend.
| Fabienne Schlumpf shines in her marathon comeback
In the women’s race, much of the attention centered around Swiss marathon record-holder Fabienne Schlumpf. The Zurich native had not raced a marathon since her impressive fifth-place finish at the 2024 New York City Marathon, nearly a year and a half ago. But on Sunday, she looked immediately back at home over 42.195 km.
She finished second in 2:31:15 behind Kenya’s Patience Kimutai, who won in 2:30:45. Just 30 seconds separated the two women at the finish line. Another Kenyan, Jackline Chepkoech, completed the podium in 2:31:18. Schlumpf’s performance carried real significance. Returning after such a long break from the marathon and immediately running at this level says a lot about her form ahead of this summer’s European Championships in Birmingham.
More than that, her race gave the event the kind of local emotional spark every major marathon needs. Every time she passed a key section of the course, the cheers for the Swiss star noticeably grew louder.
| The half marathon delivered fast times too
The Geneva weekend was never just about the marathon. The half marathon also featured a deep field and quick performances. Eritrea’s Seare Weldezghi won in 1:03:03 ahead of compatriot Natanael Habtay, while Uganda’s Brian Kipchumba completed the podium in 1:04:41.
French runner Clément Quéval also delivered a strong top-10 finish, while Mustapha Salmi, from Rouen in France, placed 13th in 1:10:17. In the women’s race, Kenya’s Hilda Jelagat Kiptum claimed victory in 1:11:15 ahead of Switzerland’s Ronja Hofstetter (1:13:02).
| Wheelchair racing, the 10K and the feeling of a true running festival
Swiss para-athletics legend Marcel Hug dominated the wheelchair half marathon in 46:12, once again confirming his world-class status. Germany’s Ludwig Malter and Britain’s Patricia Eachus completed the podium. Saturday’s 10K had already set the tone for the weekend with fast racing. Ethiopia’s Meda Muleta won in 30:11 ahead of Somali runner Ali Abdi. In the women’s race, Kenya’s Janet Nyakadei Lokito took victory in 33:46 ahead of Germany’s Vera Schubert.
| Geneva keeps growing without losing its soul
This 20th edition marked a symbolic milestone for the event. Twenty years after its creation, the Geneva Marathon continues to grow. More than 27,500 participants took part over the weekend, setting a participation record for the fourth consecutive year. More than 10,000 additional runners were placed on waiting lists despite organizers deliberately limiting entries.
Rather than turning the race into an oversized, impersonal machine, organizers have chosen controlled growth. And honestly, it works. Even with huge crowds, Geneva still feels smooth and manageable. Runners move easily through the venue, start areas remain spacious, and aid stations stay accessible. The new start location on Route de Frontenex also contributed to the more comfortable atmosphere.
Around Stade de Richemont on Sunday morning, the scene already said everything about the event’s identity: elites locked into race mode, amateur runners finishing their coffee, families arriving before sunrise and groups taking photos before even heading to the start line. Modern marathons love talking about pure performance. Geneva still manages to tell a broader story too.
| Relive the 2026 Generali Geneva Marathon live
✔ Results of the 2026 Generali Geneva Marathon
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
