© NN Marathon Rotterdam
Rotterdam Marathon 2026: Guye Adola takes victory, Mekides Shimeles smashes the women’s record
The Rotterdam Marathon once again confirmed its status as a world-class event this Sunday for its 45th edition. Known for its ultra-fast course, ideal for big performances, the Netherlands’ second-largest marathon attracts every year an incredibly deep field of runners capable of going very, very fast. And this 2026 edition was no exception: perfect conditions, a stacked elite field, and blazing times. All eyes were on Bashir Abdi, expected to chase his ambitions, but a calf issue dashed his hopes in the final kilometers. In the end, it was Ethiopia’s Guye Adola who claimed victory in a stunning 2:03:54. In the women’s race, Mekides Shimeles delivered a phenomenal performance, setting a new course record in 2:18:56. An Ethiopian double in this dramatic 45th edition, once again proving that Rotterdam is one of the fastest marathons in the world.
| A completely wild men’s race until the finish
The men’s race produced an incredible сценарий. Early on, a compact lead group formed at a very fast pace. Belgian star Bashir Abdi was highly anticipated. In top form, he had announced his intention to attack his own European record of 2:03:36, set here in Rotterdam in 2021.
He quickly took control of the race, setting a strong tempo. At halfway, the leaders passed in 1:01:36—right on target. Abdi looked comfortable, smooth, and in control. Even more impressive: around kilometers 38–39, he found himself alone in the lead, seemingly on his way to victory.
But the marathon is ruthless—and unpredictable. In the final kilometers, everything changed. Suffering from calf pain, Abdi’s pace suddenly dropped. Behind him, the chase closed in rapidly. Ethiopia’s Guye Adola, who had stayed slightly behind, seized the opportunity, caught up, and overtook the Belgian in a dramatic turnaround.
Adola crossed the line in 2:03:54, ahead of compatriot Tesfaye Deriba (2:04:15), while a brave Bashir Abdi held on for 3rd place in 2:04:19 despite stopping twice late in the race. A cruel finish for a runner who was on the verge of making history—but the unforgiving nature of the marathon struck again.
“I’m both disappointed because the goal was a third win and the European record, but about five kilometers from the finish I started to feel pain in my left calf. I felt good and accelerated around kilometer 38, but apparently it was too much for my calf. Still, I’m happy with my 2:04 time. This is elite sport, and I hope to do better next time.”
Bashir Abdi
Men’s standings
1. Guye Adola (Ethiopia) – 2:03:54
2. Tesfaye Deriba (Ethiopia) – 2:04:15
3. Bashir Abdi (Belgium) – 2:04:19
4. Kenneth Kipkemoi (Kenya) – 2:04:21
5. Haymanot Alew (Ethiopia) – 2:05:19
6. Erick Sang (Kenya) – 2:05:34
7. Filmon Tesfu (Netherlands) – 2:06:40
8. Pietro Riva (Italy) – 2:06:46
9. Jirata Dinki (Ethiopia) – 2:08:18
10. Hillary Bor (USA) – 2:08:40
| Mekides Shimeles sets a new course record in 2:18:56
The women’s race was just as impressive. The pace was high from the start, and the field quickly thinned out at the front. In the end, young Ethiopian Mekides Shimeles claimed victory with authority in 2:18:56, improving her personal best by about one minute.
More importantly, she set a new course record, beating the previous mark set by Tiki Gelana in 2012 by two seconds. A major performance that places her among the world’s best this year (12th fastest time globally). With such a high level already, the rest of the season promises even faster times.
Behind her, the depth was remarkable, with Aminet Ahmed (2:21:25) and Shitaye Eshete (2:23:22) completing the podium.
Women’s standings
1. Mekides Shimeles (Ethiopia) – 2:18:56 (new course record)
2. Aminet Ahmed (Ethiopia) – 2:21:25
3. Shitaye Eshete (Bahrain) – 2:23:22
4. Pascalia Chepkogei (Kenya) – 2:24:34
5. Clémence Calvin (France) – 2:25:24
6. Burtukan Yifru (Ethiopia) – 2:26:24
7. Susana Santos (Portugal) – 2:26:26
8. Mikky Keetels (Netherlands) – 2:30:42
9. Jana Soethout (Germany) – 2:31:09
10. Victoria Warpy (Belgium) – 2:31:50
| Clémence Calvin back at the top level
From a French perspective, the standout performance came from Clémence Calvin. Finishing 5th in 2:25:24, she recorded the best French performance of the year and a new personal best, improving on her previous mark of 2:26:28 set at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin.
After a solid 1:10:10 half marathon in Lisbon earlier in March—just 18 seconds off her PB—she confirms her return to top form after several difficult years. Her race in Rotterdam was ambitious: she went out fast, passing halfway in 1:11:44, close to the pace of the French record held by Mekdes Woldu, before slightly slowing in the second half (1:13:40). However, she didn’t collapse and even managed to overtake runners who had gone out too fast, securing an impressive 5th place. In a world-class field, she finished as the top European.
It’s a strong signal two years ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics—Clémence Calvin is clearly back in contention for a place on the French team.
In the end, this 2026 Rotterdam Marathon will go down as one of the most spectacular editions in recent years. A dramatic men’s race and a new women’s course record—everything came together for a truly fast event. As always, Rotterdam confirms its reputation as a marathon built for performance: a flat course, flawless organization, and incredible depth—the perfect recipe for world-class times. And based on this weekend’s performances, one thing is clear: the marathon season is only just heating up.
✓ Full results of the Rotterdam Marathon 2026
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
