The 41st edition of the Zurich Seville Marathon ran on Sunday and what a performance by the top athletes. While photo finishes are rare in marathon running, more have happened over the past two years than usual including in Seville on Sunday.
Shure Kitata wins
Ethiopian Shura Kitata took the win in a stunning sprint finish. He outleaned fellow Ethiopian Asrar Abderehman. The two are each credited with the time of 2:03:58. The winner had to be determined by photo finish following a jaw-dropping mano-a-mano fight to the finisher banner. As they crossed the finish line leaning, while running over 20 kph, they crashed and both went down hard.
The lead group maintained an aggressive pace from the gun, with a decisive move coming in the final stretch. The winning time is the fastest ever in the event’s 41-year history.
Kitata improved his marathon personal best from London 2018 which was set at 2:04:49. He has run sub-2:10 10 times in his career.
Alisa Vainio wins
In the women’s race, Finn, Alisa Vainio, delivered a life-changing performance. She won in 2:20:39 to set a new Finnish national marathon record. Vainio dropped her pursuers late in the race for the win.
Kenya’s Beatrice Cheserek finished second in 2:21:56, while Ethiopia’s Mulat Tekle Godu completed the podium in 2:22:03.
Vainio ran the 2025 Valencia Marathon in the time of 2:20:48 taking fourth, just 11 seconds slower than her Seville time. The 28-year-old set the Finnish national half-marathon record in 2024 in Copenhagen clocking a 1:09:30 performance.
Records
The 2026 edition marked a milestone for the event with a record 17,000 registered runners. Approximately 3,000 more than 2025. representing over 100 countries. Seville is now faster for 2026 as organizers adjusted the course to improve times by reducing turns and elevation changes.
Results
Men
Shura Kitata Tola – 2:03:59
Asrar Hiyrden Abderehman – 2:03:59
Dejene Hailu Bikila – 2:04:15
Justus Kipkorir Limo – 2:04:55
Capital Degefa Tola – 2:05:36
Tsedat Abeje Ayana – 2:06:32
Feyisa Mulu Gudisa – 2:06:34
Limenih Getachew Yizengaw – 2:07:16
Bukayawe Malede – 2:07:38
Lotory Woldegiorgis Mamo – 2:07:50
Women
Alisa Vainio – 2:20:39
Beatrice Jepchichir Cheserek – 2:21:56
Mulat Tekle Godu – 2:22:03
Elisa Palmero – 2:24:10
Fátima Azzaharaa Ouhaddou Nafie – 2:24:16
Jackline Chelal – 2:24:19
Rebecca Lonedo – 2:24:28
Rebecca Chepkwemoi – 2:24:52
Tereza Hrochová – 2:25:58
Samrawit Mengsteab – 2:26:33
