Kenyan runners dominated the 2026 Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland, sweeping the men’s podium in the mountain race.
During the race, the athletes covered approximately 31 kilometers from Sierre to Zinal, featuring about 2,200 meters of climbing and 1,100 meters of descent.
Philemon Kiriago led the Kenyan charge, winning the 53rd edition of the race in 2:26:24, ahead of fellow Kenyans Patrick Kipngeno (2:26:56) and Michael Selelo Saoli (2:29:36).
Kiriago’s victory marked his third triumph in the event after previous wins in 2023 and 2025.
Speaking during the iRunFar interview, the third-time winner Kiriago explained that being part of the Sierre-Zinal was his pleasure, citing that the place is a second home to him.
“For sure, to win Sierre-Zinal, it’s my pleasure again. To be here, I’m feeling so fantastic because it’s like my second home. After all, once you have won one or two times, now it’s like you are becoming the family member,” Kiriago noted on August 8.
According to the Sierre-Zinal records, Philemon Kiriago’s winning time was just 50 seconds outside Kilian Jornet’s course record of 2:25:34 set in 2024.
What the Kenyan Athletes Will Earn
According to the official 2026 Sierre-Zinal prize-money structure, Philemon Kiriago earned approximately KSh320,000 for winning the race and qualified for an additional KSh320,000 performance bonus for running under 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Patrick Kipngeno, who finished second, earned approximately KSh256, 000 in prize money for his runner-up finish.
On the other hand, Michael Selelo Saoli, who finished in the third place, earned approximately KSh224,000 in prize money.
In the women’s race, winner Monica Mădălina Florea earned a total of KSh640,000, with approximately KSh320,000 for victory and an additional KSh320,000 bonus for finishing under three hours.
Overall, Kiriago, Kipngeno and Saoli collected approximately KSh1.12 million in published prize money from the 2026 Sierre-Zinal.
Also Read: Kenya Adds Another Medal Winner as World U20 Championships Heat Up
About Philemon Kiriago
Philemon Ombogo Kiriago is a Kisii-born athlete who initially played handball before switching to athletics and later specializing in mountain racing.
His rise in his athletic career came after joining the Austrian-Kenyan Run2gether project around 2021, where he trains between Kenya and Austria.
Known for his all-round mountain-running abilities, Kiriago has won Sierre-Zinal three times and collected multiple medals at the World Mountain Running Championships.
Further, Kiriago is a regular contender in both the Golden Trail World Series and WMRA World Cup circuits and has participated in the Broken Arrow race in the United States.
Kipngeno Mountain Running Journey
Runner-up Patrick Kipngeno is among the most accomplished mountain runners in the sport from Bomet County.
Patrick began as a road runner, posting competitive performances over 10km and the half marathon before transitioning fully to mountain and trail events in 2020.
The On-sponsored athlete based in Austria has since become a multiple world uphill champion and a WMRA World Cup winner.
Kipngeno is also a consistent podium contender at major European mountain races and Sierre-Zinal.
Also Read: Kenya Wins Gold and Silver in World U20 Championships: What Medalists Will Receive
Michael Saoli
Michael Selelo Saoli secured a second consecutive third-place finish at Sierre-Zinal after also placing third in 2025.
Within the Run2Together team, Saoli is well known as “Doctor” because of his analytical approach to training and competition.
Additionally, Michael has recorded strong finishes in the Golden Trail World Series and represented Kenya at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Saoli has also won major mountain-running events in Kenya, including races on Mount Kenya.
Florea Wins Women’s Race
In the women’s competition, Romania’s Monica Mădălina Florea claimed her maiden Sierre-Zinal title in 2:55:44, finishing ahead of Kenya’s Caroline Kimutai and Britain’s Morven Goodrum.
Caroline Kimutai finished second during the Sierre-Zinal, losing her place as the defending champion from 2025 to Florea.
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