Martin Musau triumphed with spectacular victory at the EDP Lisbon Marathon 2026

The EDP Lisbon Marathon, celebrated globally for its stunning course running from the coastal beauty of Cascais alongside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, delivered an absolute spectacle of elite distance running on October 10. While the race is often lauded for its picturesque views, the men’s elite division showcased raw athletic power, tactical brilliance, and a fierce battle against the clock that culminated in a historic afternoon in the heart of the Portuguese capital.

Standing atop the podium after an masterclass in pacing was Uganda’s Martin Musau, who captured the prestigious men’s title with a stellar time of 2:08:07 hours. Musau’s victory was a display of relentless endurance, breaking away from an exceptionally deep field in the final stages of the race to claim a definitive win.

From the initial starting gun in Cascais, the men’s elite field made their aggressive intentions clear. Guided by expert pacers, the lead pack formed a tight, aerodynamic shield as they moved onto the flat, expansive stretches of the Estrada Marginal. Benefitting from optimal morning weather conditions and light coastal breezes, the runners established a scorching rhythm early on, hinting that the tournament record might be under threat.

A pack of nearly ten runners remained indistinguishable through the halfway mark, trading turns at the front to maintain a highly efficient tempo. The true test began as the course transitioned into the later kilometers, winding closer toward Lisbon. The sustained pressure from the front runners began to take its toll, systematically fracturing the lead group until only five world-class competitors remained in contention for the crown.

As the race entered its final, agonizing ten kilometers, Martin Musau launched his definitive strike. Sensing a momentary lull in the pack’s pace, the Kenyan accelerated with a smooth transition that left his closest rivals scrambling to respond. Musau’s stride remained remarkably clean as he navigated the final turns of the course, expanding his lead with every passing kilometer.

When he entered the grand backdrop of the Praça do Comércio, the crowd erupted. Musau stopped the clock at 2:08:07, celebrating a dominant performance that cements his status among the elite marathoners of the season.

Behind the champion, a chaotic and thrilling sprint for the remaining podium steps unfolded. Gilbert Kiprotich secured a hard-fought second place, crossing the line in 2:08:33 hours. Kiprotich showed immense resilience, managing his energy reserves perfectly over the final miles to hold off a furious late-stage charge from his compatriot, Stephen Chebon Kipkech, who completed the all-Kenyan podium sweep in third place with a time of 2:08:35 hours. The a mere two-second gap between Kiprotich and Kipkech provided a grandstand finish for the spectators lining the barriers.

The sheer depth of this year’s elite field meant that even exceptionally fast sub-2:10 performances were left outside of podium contention. Ethiopia’s Desalegn Yilie broke the Kenyan monopoly at the top by finishing in a commendable fourth place, clocking in at 2:09:08 hours. Yilie fought valiantly to stay attached to the podium group but ultimately fell back during the frantic acceleration in the final three kilometers.

Completing the elite top five was Kenya’s Elkanah Langat, who crossed the finish line in 2:09:20 hours. Langat’s performance put the finishing touches on a historic day of running, ensuring that all of the top five men finished comfortably under the coveted 2:10 mark—a testament to the high-caliber field assembled for this edition of the race.

The results of the men’s division solidify the EDP Lisbon Marathon’s growing reputation as a destination for fast times and world-class competition. It is no longer just viewed as a scenic tour of Portugal’s coastline, but as a legitimate battleground where elite athletes can push the limits of their physical capabilities.

For Martin Musau, the victory stands as a crowning achievement, proving his ability to dictate a race from the front and finish with devastating power. As the athletics world reflects on the events of October 10, the men’s race in Lisbon will be remembered as a masterclass in marathon execution, leaving an indelible mark on the rich history of the event.