- On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the world’s largest half marathon (50,000 runners expected at the start) will once again feature the entire 2025 men’s podium
- Belgian athlete Isaac Kimeli, a HOKA athlete and World 5,000m silver medallist, will make his half marathon debut and could spring a surprise, while several French runners will target a top-10 finish on a fast course
- The women’s race promises to be highly competitive, with defending champion Jackline Cherono once again lining up at the start
On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the French capital will pulse to the rhythm of tens of thousands of runners competing in the HOKA Semi de Paris. Among them, special attention will focus on Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai and Jackline Cherono, last year’s winners in 1:00:16 and 1:07:14, who will once again line up aiming to deliver another top-class performance. The event records could well be under threat.
Kenyan athletes, winners of 22 of the 32 editions since the inaugural race in 1993, will start as clear favourites, including two runners who have already covered the distance in under one hour. Leading the charge is defending champion Kennedy Kimutai (26), who clocked an impressive 58:28 in Valencia in 2021 (19th fastest performer in history). After adding his name to the race’s roll of honour in 1:00:16, he intends to remain king of the event. Paris spectators will also recognise familiar faces, as the entire 2025 podium returns. Timothy Kosgei and Timothy Misoi claimed second and third place in 1:00:22 and 1:00:44 respectively. Edward Cheserek, winner in Copenhagen in 2023 in 59:11, and Brian Kipchumba, runner-up at the Zurich Half Marathon in 2025 in 1:03:37, further strengthen an already formidable Kenyan squad.
A debut to watch for Isaac Kimeli
Among the favourites, Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli (31), World 5,000m silver medallist in Tokyo behind Cole Hocker and ahead of France’s Jimmy Gressier, firmly enters the conversation. The HOKA athlete (10 km personal best of 27:10 in Valencia in 2025) will make his debut over the half marathon distance along the banks of the Seine and has the potential to surprise the high-altitude specialists. The battle for victory promises to be intense at the front. The last European win at the HOKA Semi de Paris dates back to the inaugural edition in 1993, when Slovakia’s Robert Stefko triumphed in 1:02:42.
“I’m in good shape at the moment,” said Isaac Kimeli. “I’m feeling better and stronger every week, so I’m really looking forward to racing in Paris. It will be my first time running a 21 km race, so I’m very excited to discover the half marathon distance. I’m going to give it everything and see what happens over this new distance for me. The fact that it’s in Paris and that it’s a HOKA-supported race makes it really special. A few weeks ago, I was already in Paris as a guest for an event at the HOKA Opéra store.”
French hopes will rest on Igor Bougnot (1:03:37 in Valencia in 2023), first French finisher at Marseille-Cassis 2025, Florian Caro (1:04:18 in Paris in 2025), second French finisher at the 2025 Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, Augustin Cablant (1:04:48 in Paris in 2025) and Anthony Baron (1:05:41 in Annecy in 2025), all aiming for a top-10 finish on a fast course. Gatien Airiau and Victor Moreau, with 10 km bests of 28:56 and 29:17 respectively, should also be close to the lead pack. International outsiders include South Africa’s Thabang Mosiako (59:52 in Riga in 2023), Burundi’s Egide Ntakarutimana (1:01:32 in Cremona in 2025), 15th at the 2025 World Championships over 10,000m, and Hong Kong’s Wan Chun Wong (1:04:30 in Ageo in 2022, HOKA athlete). HOKA elites from road and trail running, including 2023 UTMB winner Jim Walmlsey and former IRONMAN world champion Jan Frodeno, will also take part in the race.The fastest man in the history of the race remains Kenya’s Roncer Kipkorir, who set the course record of 59:38 in 2023 — but that mark could now be under serious threat.
|
Jackline Cherono chasing back-to-back titles In 2025, the race crowned Jackline Cherono in 1:07:16 in the women’s event. On a course she knows perfectly, the 27-year-old Kenyan will be eager to taste victory once again. To achieve that, she will face strong competition from her compatriot Mercy Chebwogen, winner of the 2025 Paris 20 km and eighth in last year’s edition in 1:13:50, who could prove a serious challenger. The battle also promises to be fierce with the presence of Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray, third in Ras Al Khaimah in 2023 with 1:06:04, and Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat, eighth in Copenhagen in 2023 in 1:07:59. Britain’s Emma Pallant-Browne, 11th in Gqeberha (South Africa) in 2023 in 1:11:35, will also line up. A HOKA Elite athlete for nearly a decade and a former IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon and duathlon specialist, she is now fully focused on running. In 2021, Kenya’s Betty Lempus crossed the finish line at Place de la Bastille in 1:05:46, setting the women’s course record. “For once in my career, I’m heading into a race without really knowing what shape I’m in,” said the 36-year-old new mother. “I gave birth six months ago and had to take two months off running following my C-section, but I’ve loved these four months of training with Andy Hobdell (HOKA coach) and I’m excited for the year ahead. A few years ago, I ran 71 minutes and I definitely want to be faster than that by the end of the year. I love Paris and I’m delighted to come and race with my family.” |