Best runners 2026
BEST RUNNERS – Men
2. Philemon Kiplimo KIMAIYO (Kenya, 1998)
With a 58:11 half marathon time achieved in Valencia in 2020, he is the top-seeded athlete in this edition of the Stramilano. He has broken the one-hour barrier six more times in his career! He also boasts an impressive 2:04:01 in the marathon distance (Hamburg, 2025).
3. Cosmas Mwangi BOI (Kenya, 2003)
The 2023 winner returns to the Stramilano! That year he won in 59:40. There is great anticipation to see him again on the streets of Milan, especially as he also performs at a very high level on the track (27:15 for 10,000m).
4. Badr JAAFARI (Italy, 1998 – Atletica Casone Noceto)
He is the reigning Italian half marathon champion, a title he won last October in Cremona. This past February in Barcelona, he set his personal best over 21 km at 61:09. In between, he made his marathon debut in Florence, winning in late November with an excellent 2:09:58. The Stramilano will be an important test ahead of his next commitments with the national team (European Championships in Birmingham this summer).
5. Amon KIPTOO (Kenya, 1994)
An experienced and consistent athlete. In Milan, he is aiming for a standout performance and to improve his personal best of 61:09 set in March in Warsaw.
18. Asbel Kiprop RUTTO (Kenya, 2002)
After his victory with a course record and personal best last March at the Rome Marathon (2:06:24), he could be the one to shake things up. His official half marathon time of 65:57 certainly does not reflect his current form.
BEST RUNNERS – Women
F2. Jedidah Chepkemoi SANG (Kenya, 2002 – Team Run2gether)
She has only one international race under her belt, last March at the Madrid Half Marathon, where she clocked 69:00—an indication of her great potential.
F3. Hilda Jelagat KIPTUM (Kenya, 1998)
Already capable of running under 1:10 (69:31 in 2024), this year she placed third at the Warsaw Half Marathon in 70:41.
F4. Esther Yeko CHEKWEMOI (Uganda, 2001)
She arrives fresh off a personal best of 70:38, set just last week in Bucharest. If she has recovered well, she is ready to contend for the podium.
F5. Nanna BOVE (Denmark, 1995)
She has numerous national titles to her name (from track to cross country to road running) and a personal best of 71:34 in the half marathon (Copenhagen, 2025). She comes to Milan to test herself ahead of the Road Running World Championships, which will be held in her home country this September.
F9. Bizunesh Getahun YIDENGTU (Ethiopia, 2006)
A very young athlete from the Ethiopian highlands, making her debut at the distance after an early career focused on track. Could she be the surprise of Stramilano 2026?
