Colombo Marathon 2026 concluded on Sunday at Galle Face Green, drawing more than 5,000 local and international runners in what organisers intend to establish as the capital’s annual international city race, the Daily Mirror reported.
The event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Sports Development, featured more than 130 international athletes from 25 countries. A total prize fund of more than Rs. 12.8 million was distributed across the race categories.
Full marathon
Uganda’s Julius Ugandan Ochieng won the men’s 42km in 2:18:54, taking the top prize of Rs. 1.7 million. Kenya’s Geoffrey Birgen was second in 2:20:43 and Ethiopia’s Negasi Tuji Korme third in 2:21:50.
Ethiopian runners swept the women’s 42km. Aynalem Kasahun Teferi won in 2:54:09 for an equal Rs. 1.7 million, ahead of Gete Guta Galato (2:54:48) and Genzeb Shumi Regasa (2:55:20).
Half marathon
Kenya’s Edwin Yebei Kiptoo took the men’s 21km in 1:10:28, worth Rs. 500,000. Sri Lanka’s W.M.S. Sarathkumara finished second, 24 seconds back in 1:10:52, with Kenya’s Bomer Kiptoo Evans third a single second later in 1:10:53.
Sri Lankans led the women’s 21km, where Wijesuriya Arachchilage Methmi Rosata won in 1:17:50 — more than eight minutes clear of H.M.C.S. Herath (Chamini) in 1:26:14. Kenya’s Jackline Jeptanui was third in 1:26:41.
Sri Lankan sweep over 10km
Home runners took all three podium places in both 10km races. Mahendran Gobinathan won the men’s event in 32:16, followed by R.M. Samantha Pushpakumara (33:04) and Senanayake D.P.S.S. (33:06).
P.G.S.S. Wimalasooriya won the women’s 10km in 39:08, with Oshadini Fonseka second in 39:27 and K.M. Shashikala third in 42:17.
Bigger than planned
The turnout exceeded the target set at launch. When the race was announced in August for September 13 under the theme “Steps for Peace and Humanity”, organisers projected more than 4,000 participants across five categories — the full and half marathons, a 10km road race, a 5km fun run and a children’s mini run. Route certification by an international measurement specialist was arranged at that stage to meet international marathon standards, with about 100 certified officials from Sri Lanka Athletics supporting operations.
Not reported
The Daily Mirror does not give results for the 5km fun run or the children’s mini run, break down the prize fund by category, or state how many of the 5,000-plus entrants were Sri Lankan. It does not report finishing numbers, weather or road-closure arrangements, or whether the Ministry has confirmed a 2027 edition.
No other verified newsroom had published results at the time of writing; coverage elsewhere remained limited to pre-race announcements.
