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Athletes in action at the 2026 Kaptagat Forest Marathon on July 12, 2026. [Stephen Rutto, Standard]
Stephen Kimutai and Vivian Jerono were crowned champions of Kaptagat Forest Marathon on Saturday. Kimutai dominated the race run on a high-altitude course in the Kaptagat Forest to mark the tenth edition of Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP).
The 29-year-old marathon debutant chalked up his victory in 2:17:17 ahead of second-placed Julius Bwambok (2:18:14) and Mark Kibiwot, who came in third in 2:19:04. Kimutai led from the gun, sticking with the leaders in the first half of the race before establishing a comfortable lead in the last 4km.
“Home fans encouraged me to bring the prize money home. I had prepared to run 21km, but I changed my mind a day to the event. I have run a number of road races in Europe and China, and I’m now looking forward to more marathons,” Kimutai said.
