Uganda’s Martin Naibei Musau and Ethiopia’s Meskerem Mamo Hayile crossed the finish line first at the 13th EDP Lisbon Marathon on Saturday.
The two East African athletes set personal bests despite competing under challenging conditions thousands of miles away from home in Portugal.
In the men’s race, Musau clocked 2:08:07, improving his previous personal best by 35 seconds. The Ugandan emerged victorious from a tight four-man contest, finishing 26 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Gilbert Kipkurui Korir, who took second place in 2:08:33.
Fellow Kenyan Stephen Chebon Kipkech completed the podium in 2:08:35, finishing just two seconds behind his compatriot as all top three finishers set new personal bests.
Musau’s victory continues a successful year for Ugandan distance runners in Lisbon, following compatriot Jacob Kiplimo’s triumph at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon earlier in 2026.
Away from the gents, in the women’s race, drama unfolded in the closing stages with four Ethiopian athletes battling for the title.
On her marathon debut, Meskerem Mamo Hayile produced a powerful late surge to secure victory in 2:28:04 and etch her name into the race’s history books.
Tejitu Siyum Alamayehu followed just seven seconds later in 2:28:11, while Bashanke Imoshe Bilo finished third in 2:28:15, a mere 11 seconds behind the winner.
