Rebecca Kangogo Chesir smashed the course record for the victory at Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires

The vibrant capital of Argentina transformed into a global stage for elite distance running on Sunday, September 20, as it hosted the prestigious Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires. The World Athletics Label road race drew an incredible international field, with athletes eager to test their mettle along the city’s iconic, scenic boulevards. Despite battling grueling humidity and warm temperatures, the elite women’s division delivered an unforgettable spectacle, headlined by an absolute powerhouse performance that rewrote the event’s history books.

From the initial sound of the starting gun, a high-tempo lead pack emerged, primarily consisting of world-class East African distance specialists. Navigating the flat and historically fast course—which guides runners past celebrated landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods—the pace remained relentless. As the kilometers stacked up and the intense humidity began to take its physical toll on the field, the frontrunners began to break apart, paving the way for a sensational battle for the crown.

Ultimately, Kenya’s Rebecca Kangogo Chesir put on a spectacular masterclass in marathon running. Displaying phenomenal form, a smooth stride, and incredible tactical maturity, Chesir detached herself from her rivals during the decisive later stages of the 42.195-kilometer race. She crossed the finish line in a blistering time of 2:23:36 hours, securing a magnificent victory. With this extraordinary run, Chesir not only established a brand new personal best but also shattered the previous event course record, writing her name indelibly into Buenos Aires marathon history.

Her incredible triumph led a spectacular, absolute podium sweep for Kenya. Capturing the silver medal after a brilliant performance of her own was Rodah Jepkorir Tanui. Tanui, a formidable competitor and the previous course record holder, pushed hard throughout the morning and crossed the finish line in a fantastic 2:24:49 hours. The all-Kenyan podium was officially completed by Emmah Cheruto Ndiwa, who showed immense physical strength and grit to hold off the chasing pack, securing the bronze medal in an impressive time of 2:26:55 hours.

Just outside the podium positions, Sentayehu Lewetegn delivered a highly commendable effort against the clock. Lewetegn battled through the challenging conditions to cross the line in a lonely but strong fourth place, stopping the clock at 2:29:53 hours. The elite top five was officially rounded out by Tamir Agere, who produced a resilient solo run in the final miles of the race to finish in 2:30:19 hours. 

Supported by massive, cheering crowds that lined the streets of the Argentine capital, this year’s edition of the Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires lived up to its reputation as South America’s premier marathon event. Chesir’s record-breaking masterclass, paired with the historic dominance of the Kenyan contingent and the sheer determination of the top five finishers, ensured that the 2026 women’s race will be remembered for years to come.