Tesfay sets second-fastest-ever women’s marathon time in Barcelona

Fotyen Tesfay ran the second-fastest race in women’s marathon history as she triumphed in Barcelona on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Ethiopian completed the 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometres) in 2 hours 10 minutes 53 seconds in what was her first-ever competitive marathon.

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich set the record in 2024 in Chicago, but is currently serving a three-year suspension for doping, which annulled her results from March 2025 onwards.

“Today was fantastic — not what I was expecting, but it is good,” said Tesfay.

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“My plan was to attack the world record, but today there was a lot of wind, and I was not able to push in the last part of the race.

“Today I did not succeed, but in the next marathon I would like to try for the world record.”

Tesfay came in nearly eight minutes quicker than Kenyan runner-up Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo, while Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer finished third.

In the men’s marathon, Ugandan Abel Chelangat triumphed with a time of two hours, four minutes and 57 seconds, beating out Kenyans Patrick Mosion and Jonathan Samanayo Korir.

Published on Mar 15, 2026