2:24:19 on Debut: Millicent Jelimo Wins the 2026 Prague Marathon
TL;DR — On Sunday, May 3, 2026, Kenya's Millicent Jelimo won the Volkswagen Prague Marathon in 2:24:19 — her first marathon ever. Behind her, two compatriots: Janet Ruguru (2:26:41) and Angela Tanui (2:27:45), making it an all-Kenyan podium. In the men's race, Ethiopia's Berehanu Tsegu took the win in 2:05:51, just 12 seconds shy of the course record after a warm morning shut down his record bid.
If you didn't follow the action live last Sunday, here's the full picture: a women's race that turned into a Kenyan demonstration, a men's race contained by the heat, the profile of a new Kenyan marathoner to watch, and what these results say about the current depth of marathon running.
The women's race: an all-Kenyan podium led by a debutante
On the flat, fast course winding between Old Town Square and the Vltava, Millicent Jelimo did exactly what wasn't quite expected. Not the official favorite, not an established marathoner — coming in, her résumé was built on the half marathon and the track, with a top-200 world road ranking. She still crossed the line in 2:24:19, ahead of two more experienced athletes.
Top 3 women — 2026 Prague Marathon
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Millicent Jelimo | Kenya | 2:24:19 | Marathon debut |
| 2 | Janet Ruguru | Kenya | 2:26:41 | |
| 3 | Angela Tanui | Kenya | 2:27:45 | PB 2:17:57 (Amsterdam 2021) |
The detail that stands out: Angela Tanui finishing third. The 2021 Amsterdam Marathon winner in 2:17:57, she's one of the most decorated Kenyan marathoners of the last decade. By her usual standards, 2:27 is well below her potential — a sign that conditions tightened the entire field, and that Jelimo truly dominated the day rather than benefiting from a slow tactical race.
The men's race: Tsegu wins, the course record holds
In the men's race, Ethiopia's Berehanu Tsegu moved to the front and never gave it back. Tsegu, racing only his third career marathon, started fast — maybe a little too fast. Through the first 25 km, his pace hinted at an attack on the men's course record, set at 2:05:39 by Eliud Kiptanui in 2010.
Then the sky cleared over Prague and the temperature climbed. The tempo eased in the second half, and Tsegu finished in 2:05:51 — 12 seconds shy of the course record. A clean win nonetheless, and a name to file away just behind the world's marquee tier.
Top 3 men — 2026 Prague Marathon
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berehanu Tsegu | Ethiopia | 2:05:51 |
| 2 | Felix Kipkoech | Kenya | 2:07:45 |
| 3 | Andualem Belay | Ethiopia | 2:07:59 |
Quick note on Tsegu's trajectory: he was 2nd at the Dubai Marathon in 2025, before stepping back to 7th at Dubai 2026 earlier this year. His Prague win pushes him right back into the conversation around Europe's spring tier-2 marathons (those just below the Majors).
Why a 2:24:19 marathon debut is unusual
It's easy to forget how rare what Jelimo pulled off actually is. To put it in perspective:
- Very few women run their first marathon under 2:25.
- Most marathoners reach this level after two or three races, the time it takes to learn fueling, second-half pacing, and how to break the field.
- When it happens on the first try, it's often the sign of a track / half-marathon profile crossing over with surprising efficiency — similar, at a higher level, to what we've seen with Letesenbet Gidey or Tigst Assefa moving from distance or jumps onto the road.
Jelimo isn't (yet) at that level, but 2:24:19 on a fast course in decent conditions is a serious calling card for an agent looking to put her on a late-fall marathon. Watch her name in Amsterdam or Valencia in October/November.
What is the Prague Marathon, exactly?
The Volkswagen Prague Marathon, run by RunCzech since 1995, has become one of Europe's most respected "second tier" marathons. Not a Major, but a World Athletics Platinum label race, with elite East African fields and 10,000+ amateur runners every year.
The course:
- 80 % flat — a few short rises around Old Town
- Several Vltava bridges, including spans near Charles Bridge
- Loop course through Old Town, the Jewish Quarter, and back via Karlín
- Unique on the world calendar: the start and finish line is on Old Town Square, beneath the astronomical clock
It's a favorite among European amateur runners chasing a PB on a fast course, in a major historic capital, at the end of the spring season. From Paris, it's about a 1h45 flight, and registration usually opens the previous autumn.
What the 2026 results tell us about the marathon
Three clear signals.
1. The Kenyan women's pipeline is bottomless. With an all-Kenyan podium in 2:24, 2:26 and 2:27 — led by a marathoner whose first attempt over the distance this was — we're again seeing what's been visible for three years: the depth of Kenyan women's marathon running has caught up with the men's standard. The talent doesn't dry up, and the integration into the elite circuit is faster than ever.
2. "Tier 2" marathons are becoming hunting grounds. Prague, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Vienna, Seville. On these races, times keep dropping below 2:05 men / 2:20 women, and more and more stars use these races as launch pads to the autumn Majors. Tsegu on Sunday is exactly that profile — in the same line of thinking as what Sabastian Sawe showed in London three weeks earlier.
3. Weather is still the biggest judge. If Tsegu missed the course record by 12 seconds, it's mostly because of the mid-race heat. On a marathon usually decided in cool morning conditions, the seasonal shift into May narrows the weather window every year — something European organizers will have to keep watching.
Planning your next marathon? BPMoov rounds up registrations for road and trail races across France and Europe — free, on iOS and Android. → Get the app.
FAQ — 2026 Prague Marathon
Who won the 2026 Prague Marathon?
In the women's race, Kenya's Millicent Jelimo won the 2026 Prague Marathon in 2:24:19, in her marathon debut. In the men's race, Ethiopia's Berehanu Tsegu took victory in 2:05:51, ahead of Felix Kipkoech (2:07:45) and Andualem Belay (2:07:59).
When was the 2026 Prague Marathon held?
The 2026 Prague Marathon was held on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The race started from Old Town Square in the historic center of Prague.
What was Millicent Jelimo's marathon debut time in Prague?
Millicent Jelimo covered the 42.195 km course in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 19 seconds, making it one of the standout marathon debuts of the 2026 season. She finished ahead of Janet Ruguru (2:26:41) and Angela Tanui (2:27:45) for an all-Kenyan podium sweep.
What is the men's course record at the Prague Marathon?
The men's course record at the Prague Marathon remains 2:05:39, set by Kenya's Eliud Kiptanui in May 2010. Tsegu fell 12 seconds short of that mark in 2026.
How do you register for the 2027 Prague Marathon?
Registrations for the Prague Marathon (Volkswagen Prague Marathon) usually open the previous autumn at runczech.com. Spots fill quickly — the BPMoov app lets you save the Prague Marathon to your favorites and get a notification the moment registrations officially open.
Who is Millicent Jelimo?
Millicent Jelimo is a Kenyan athlete born on January 21, 1997. Before her first marathon, she had built her career on the half marathon and 10,000 m. Her win in Prague 2026 — on her very first marathon — sets her up as a new Kenyan marathoner to watch heading into the late season.