Osaka Women’s Marathon (Platinum Label Road Races)
- Stella Chesang (Uganda) – 2:19:31 WL
- Bedatu Hirpa (Ethiopia) – 2:19:54 SB
- Workenesh Edesa (Ethiopia) – 2:19:56 SB
Stella Chesang stamped her authority on the global marathon scene on Sunday, powering to victory at the 2026 Osaka International Women’s Marathon in a world-leading time of 2:19:31.
Calm, controlled and ruthless when it mattered most, the Ugandan star outclassed a stacked field to claim gold in Japan, delivering one of the finest performances of her career and setting the pace for the 2026 road racing season.
The 45th edition of the Osaka Women’s Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label event, once again lived up to its billing.
Starting and finishing at Yanmar Stadium Nagai, the fast 42.195km course through central Osaka, past landmarks such as Osaka Castle attracted one of the strongest women-only fields in the world.
Chesang settled smoothly into the lead pack from the 12:15 p.m. start, running with patience as the race developed into a tense battle between Uganda and Ethiopia’s best.
Defending champion and course record holder Workenesh Edesa, alongside compatriot Bedatu Hirpa, remained in close contention deep into the race.
The turning point came in the closing kilometres. Chesang surged clear with confidence and strength, breaking the field and crossing the line first in 2:19:31, the fastest women’s marathon time recorded anywhere this year.
Hirpa claimed silver in 2:19:54, while Edesa settled for bronze in 2:19:56, both season’s best efforts, to complete a thrilling podium.
