Kenyans Pocket KSh 4 Million After Dominating Thailand Marathon

Kenyan athletes have dominated the Bangsaen42-2026 Marathon in Chonburi, Thailand, on Sunday, November 15, winning both elite titles.

Kenya also placed nine athletes among the top eight finishers across the men’s and women’s races.

Abigael Jepkemboi led the women’s field while Muhia Alexander Njai won the men’s contest.

The men’s podium produced a Kenyan one-two, with Simion Ewar Kameto taking second in 2:21:18.11. Ethiopia’s Kure Ebisa Takele finished third in 2:21:30.31.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Burtukan Chala Boru finished second, and Kebene Chala Urisa third.

Following the win, the qualifying athletes are set to receive about 4 million, subject to a five per cent withholding tax, according to the marathon organisers.

Additionally, the organisers clarified that all winners must collect their prizes within 30 minutes of finishing.

“Prize money is paid in Thai baht with 5% withholding tax. Prize winners must claim their prize at the prize desk within 30 minutes of finishing,” Bangsaen42-2026 Marathon organisers directed.

Also Read: Kenyan Athletes Pocket Millions as Jepchirchir Wins Sydney Marathon

Abigael Jepkemboi, Lead Kenyan Women’s Champion

Abigael Jepkemboi leads the women’s team at 2:35:05.06 and has a personal best of 2:29:56, recorded in Lima, Peru, in September 2022.

Tecla Jelimo Kibet finished fourth, just outside the podium, while Caroline Cheptonui Kilel came in Sixth.

Kilel’s personal best is 2:22:34, set in Frankfurt in 2013, and her career includes victories at the 2011 Boston Marathon and the Frankfurt Marathon in 2010 and 2013.

She also won silver in the marathon at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Agnes Keino, with a marathon personal best of 2:22:53, set at the 2024 Frankfurt Marathon, finished seventh.

Additionally, Agnes also has a half-marathon best of 1:08:47 and has recently appeared in Milan in April 2026 and Cologne in October 2026.

Mary Waithira Munanu finished eighth and holds a personal best of 2:26:59 set at the Linz Marathon in April 2026.

She had previously run 2:34:29 in Ostrava in October 2025.

Kenyan men Athletes

Muhia Alexander Njai held off fellow Kenyan Simion Ewar Kameto in a close finish to claim the title in 2:21:06.78. Kameto followed in 2:21:18.11, just over 12 seconds behind.

Donald Kimaru Biwott finished sixth in the race. Earlier, Biwott had secured the third-place finish at the 2026 Tallinn Marathon in Estonia in 2:21:05.

The eighth-place finisher was Edwin Cheruiyot Soi, whose track personal bests include 12:51.34 in the 5,000 metres and 27:14.83 in the 10,000 metres.

Soi has also won bronze in the 5,000 metres at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and bronze in the 3,000 metres at the 2012 World Indoor Championships.

Also Read: Full List of Kenyan Elite Athletes at the Amsterdam Marathon 2026

Bangsaen42-2026 Prize Money and Awards

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