Fotyen Tesfay clocked the second-fastest time in women’s marathon history on her debut over the distance in Barcelona.
The 28-year-old Ethiopian was seventh in the 10,000 metres on the track at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and already has the third-fastest half marathon time to her name.
She has made no secret of the fact that she wants to go after the world record for 26.2 miles which is 2:09:56, set by Ruth Chepngetich at Chicago in 2024 – and she made a sensational first attempt in the Catalan capital.
Game on at halfway
She opened up with a 31:01 first 10km and passed the halfway point in 1:05:01 so it was very much under threat.
But she just slowed fractionally in the second half in what were breezy conditions, crossing the line in 2:10:53.
That destroyed the previous women’s course record in Barcelona of 2:19:33, set last year by Sharon Chelimo.
It is also the fastest ever women’s marathon debut and also a new Ethiopian national record.
“My plan was to attack the world record but there was a lot of wind and I was not able to push in the last part of the race,” she said on the live broadcast, speaking through an interpreter.
“But the energy of the crowd took me all the way to the finish line -thank you, Barcelona!
“Today I did not succeed, but in the next marathon I would like to try for the world record.”
Kenya’s Jepkosgei Kiplimo was a distant second in 2:18:42, while Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer was third in 2:18:49. Both those times would have won all previous editions of the race.
Chelangat claims men’s title
Meanwhile Uganda’s Abel Chelangat was the winner of the men’s race in a personal best 2:04:57.
He was put under pressure throughout by Kenyan duo Patrick Mosin and Jonathan Korir but just had enough in the tank to claim the win.
Mosin finished second in 2:05:01, while Korir completed the podium in 2:05:29.
Barcelona Marathon results 2026
Sunday 15 March 2026
WOMEN
- 1. Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) – 2:10:53
- 2. Jepkosgei Kiplimo (KEN) -2:18:42
- 3. Zeineba Yimer (ETH) – 2:18:49
MEN
- 1. Abel Chelangat (UGA) – 2:04:57
- 2 Patrick Mosin (KEN) – 2:05:01
- 3 Jonathan Korir (KEN) – 2:05:29
