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Ngetich and Almgren thrill Copenhagen in World Athletics Road Running Half Marathon

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by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

9.20.2026, Copenhagen—Agnes Ngetich of Kenya did what favorites do: won setting records. Ngetich ran alone through Copenhagen’s streets to win in 1:05:15, a world record in a women-only event. Veronica Loleo of Kenya was second in 1:06:08. Florence Niyonkuru of Rwanda was third in 1:06:08, setting a national record. Daisilah Jerono of Kenya was fourth in 1:06:13. Emma Grace Hurley of USA was fifth in 1:06:23, which is the third fastest USA time ever. Hurley was followed by fellow Americans, Weini Kelati in sixth in 1:06:35 and Jessica McClain in seventh in 1:06:53. Ednah Kurgat of USA was 17th in 1:08:11.

In the men’s race, Andreas Almgren of Sweden never let the leaders out of his strike zone, and he exploded with a stunning victory of 58:06, setting a national and a European record. Nicholas Kipkorir of Kenya who led for much of the race was second in 58:11. Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda was third in 58:26. Conner Mantz of Utah led Team USA, finishing twelfth in 1:00:08. Ahmed Muhumed of Flagstaff USA was thirteenth in 1:00:15. Wesley Kiptoo of Flagstaff AZ USA was 23rd in 1:00:11. Denmark’s Jacob Sommer Simonsen set a national record of 1:00:46, placing sixteenth.

Team Kenya won the team title in both the men’s and women’s race. The USA women placed second; the men placed third. Ethiopia placed third in women and second in men.

The citizens races drew over 60,000 combined entrants.

Top Women

  1. 1:05:15 Agnes Ngetich, Kenya
  2. 1:06:05 Veronica Loleo, Kenya
  3. 1:06:08 Florence Niyonkuru, Rwanda
  4. 1:06:13 Daisilah Jerono, Kenya
  5. 1:06:23 Emma Grace Hurley, USA
  6. 1:06:35 Weini Kelati, USA
  7. 1:06:53 Jessica McClain, USA
  8. 1:07:07 Ftaw Zeray, Ethiopia
  9. 1:07:33 Fatima Birdaha, Morocco
  10. 1:07:38 Esther Chebet, Uganda
  11. 1:07:42 Meselech Alemayehu, Ethiopia
  12. 1:07:43 Rebecca Chelangat, Uganda
  13. 1:07:49 Glenrose Xaba, South Africa
  14. 1:07:51 Baraky Redae, Ethiopia
  15. 1:08:02 Emeline Imanizabayo, Rwanda
  16. 1:08:03 Jadyn Keeler, Canada
  17. 1:08:11 Ednah Kurgat, USA
  18. 1:08:30 Tsigie Gebtreselama, Ethiopia
  19. 1:08:43 Therese Johaug, Norway
  20. 1:08:44 Chloe Herbiet, Belgium
  21. 1:09:12 Carrie Elwood, USA

Top Men

  1. 58:06 Andreas Almgren, Sweden
  2. 58:11 Nicholas Kipkorir, Kenya
  3. 58:26 Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda
  4. 58:35 Tadese Worku, Ethiopia
  5. 58:57 Gideon Kipkertich Rono, Kenya
  6. 59:09 Hani Idriss Hersi, Djibouti
  7. 59:18 Yemaneberhan Crippa, Italy
  8. 59:22 Alex Nzioka Matata, Kenya
  9. 59:42 Daniel Ebenyo, Kenya
  10. 59:53 Othmane El Goumri, Morocco
  11. 1:00:04 Celestin Ndikumana, Burundi
  12. 1:00:08 Conner Mantz, USA
  13. 1:00:15 Ahmed Muhumed, USA
  14. 1:00:32 Belay Bezabeh, Ethiopia
  15. 1:00:40 Bereket Nega, Ethiopia
  16. 1:00:46 Jacob Sommer Simonsen, Denmark
  17. 1:01:00 Ablelom Maryo, Eritrea
  18. 1:01:04 Bastien Augusto, France
  19. 1:01:08 Zerei Kbrom Mezngi, Norway
  20. 1:01:08 Jummanne Ngoya, Tanzania
Ednah Kurgat of USA with Jess McClain and Meselech Alemayehu of Ethiopia in Osterport at 2K.
Carrie Elwood of USA finished 21st in 1:09:12.
A large pack in Osterport led by Wakana Kabasawa of Japan and Great Britain’s Alexandra Bell and Samantha Harrison.
Matea Parlov Kostro of Croatia gets cheers in Osterport early in the half marathon. She ran 1:12:11 placing 54th.
Copenhagen is flat and fast, but looks hilly in Osterport. Leading the pack are Karabo Mailula of RSA, Olga Nyzhnyk of Ukraine, Susana Santos of Portugal, and Adela Honorato of Mexico.
Andreas Almgren of Sweden in full sprint to win the World Athletics Road Running Championships half marathon in 58:06.
Andreas Almgren of Sweden won in 58:06, setting a new Swedish and European record.
Agnes Ngetich of Kenya smiles after her record-setting win in 1:05:15.
Veronica Loleo of Kenya was second in 1:06:05.
Emma Grace Hurley of USA was fifth and set a new national record for women only half marathon of 1:06:23.
Emma Grace Hurley of USA checks 1:06:23 leading USA to second place team. Jessica McClain earns a rest after seventh place in 1:06:53.
Weini Kelati of USA was sixth in 1:06:35.
Hani Idriss Hersi of Djibouti was sixth in 59:09, setting a national record.
Jessica McClain of USA was seventh in 1:06:53.
Fatima Birdaha of Morocco finished ninth in 1:07:33, setting a national record.
Ahmed Muhumed was delighted to finish the half marathon in 13th place, 1:00:15 and help Team USA win the team bronze medal.
Jadyn Keeler of Canada set a national record of 1:08:03 and placed 16th. Emeline Imanizabayo of Rwanda was fifteenth in 1:08:02.
Jacob Sommer Simonsen of Denmark set a national record in 1:00:46.
Carrie Elwood of USA was 21st in 1:09:12.
Rory Linkletter of Canada ran 1:01:09.
Wesley Kiptoo and Hillary Bor of USA
Iris Snorradottir of Iceland on the home straight
World Athletics Road Running Championships podium: Florence Niyonkuru of Rwanda 3, Veronico Loleo of Kenya 2, and Agnes Ngetich of Kenya 1
World Athletics Road Running Half Marathon podium: Nicholas Kipkorir of Kenya 2, Andreas Almgren of Sweden 1, and Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda 3,
Team Denmark: Sophie Junge, Anna Holm Jorgensen, Carolien Millenaar, and Nanna Bove
Team Kenya 1, Ethiopia 2, and USA 3
Andreas Almgren of Sweden and Jacob Sommer Simonsen of Denmark earned national records.
Agnes Ngetich of Kenya earned a world record bonus with her 1:05:15. It was by a very slim margin of one second.
Andreas Almgren of Sweden enjoying the gold medal victory.
Team USA was second: Emma Grace Hurley, Jessica McClain, and Weini Kelati were 5, 6, and 7 and all ran under 1:07.
Team USA placed third team. Conner Mantz, Ahmed Muhumed, and Wesley Kiptoo.

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