The stage is set for the 21st running of the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Race—the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Among the heavy favorites returning to the capital is Ethiopia’s two-time champion Birhanu Legese, who is eager to reclaim his crown and secure a historic third victory at the marquee event.
Ahead of Sunday’s race, Legese joined an elite group of international distance runners at the official pre-press conference to outline their training regimens, share ambitions, and express confidence. The 2026 edition promises high-stakes competition, boasting a lucrative total prize purse of USD 275,732. Men’s and women’s champions will each take home USD 27,000, with an enticing USD 12,000 course-record bonus awaiting any athlete fast enough to rewrite the history books.
Expressing deep affinity for the city, Legese remarked that Delhi feels like a second home given his frequent visits and strong rapport with local fans and organizers. Reflecting on his build-up, the Ethiopian star noted that he shifted his training base to Kaptagat alongside Eliud Kipchoge to avoid the heavy traffic and logistical hurdles of Addis Ababa. Despite missing out on the podium last year, Legese asserted that he remains intensely motivated and physically primed for Sunday’s showdown.
Legese will not have an easy path to victory, facing stiff competition from a formidable international roster. Kenya’s Charles Matata—a police officer by profession who secured victory at the Riga Half Marathon earlier this year with a time of 59:15—has voiced strong ambitions to challenge for the title. Crediting his consistency to rigorous speed work and team training environments, Matata emphasized his trademark winning mentality.
In the women’s division, fellow Kenyan Irine Cheptai returns to familiar territory. Affectionately dubbed the “Queen of India”, the 2022 Delhi champion has enjoyed a stellar season, highlighted by a victory at the Dubai Half Marathon and a runner-up finish at the Sydney Marathon. Though currently managing her recovery following her recent marathon efforts, Cheptai remains a major threat.
Another headline attraction is Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, the Kenyan-born Israeli athlete and World Championships marathon bronze medallist. Training primarily in Iten, Kenya, Salpeter is making her debut appearance in India as she continues her careful return from a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the year.
Attention will also heavily focus on the domestic contingent aiming to elevate India’s standing on the international stage. The elite home field features last year’s runner-up Kiran Matre, 2024 Indian Elite Women’s champion Lily Das, rising track talent Ankita Dhyani, and Dr. Kartik Karkera.
Matre, despite facing disruptions from a hip injury earlier this season, is eager to capitalize on his personal best of 1:04:57. Meanwhile, Lily Das anticipates an intensely contested women’s race as she battles fierce rival Ankita Dhyani for top domestic honors. Dr. Karkera, building on a steady progression that saw him finish third among Indian elite athletes last year alongside a recent international appearance at the Asian Games, looks to continue his upward trajectory.
Podium finishers in the Indian Elite categories will compete for substantial cash prizes ranging up to INR 3,50,000, alongside an additional INR 1,00,000 incentive reserved for anyone shattering the existing Indian elite course record.
