Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay Runs Second-Fastest Women's Marathon Time in History

The 28-year-old posted the fastest debut marathon ever recorded by a woman.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia ran an incredible 2:10:51 to win the Zurich Barcelona Marathon, recording the second-fastest time in world history for a woman and the fastest-ever debut at the distance. Tesfay was targeting the controversial world record of 2:09:56, set at the 2024 Chicago Marathon by Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya, who is now banned from the sport until April 2028.

Why it matters

Tesfay's performance is a significant achievement in women's marathon running, as she has become the first woman since Chepngetich to beat the previous world record held by Tigst Assefa. This highlights the ongoing progression and competitiveness in the sport, despite the controversy surrounding Chepngetich's record.

The details

Tesfay entered the race with stellar credentials, including being the third-fastest half marathoner in world history. She worked with two male pacemakers on Sunday, covering 10K in 31:05 and the halfway mark in 1:05:05. She passed 30K in 1:32 and 40K in 2:03:31, but windy conditions started to take their toll in the final stages.

  • Tesfay ran the Zurich Barcelona Marathon on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • Chepngetich set the previous world record of 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
  • Chepngetich is currently serving a three-year ban for testing positive for a prohibited substance in March 2025.

The players

Fotyen Tesfay

A 28-year-old Ethiopian runner who won the Zurich Barcelona Marathon with the second-fastest time in women's marathon history.

Ruth Chepngetich

A Kenyan runner who previously held the women's marathon world record of 2:09:56, set at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, but is now banned from the sport until April 2028 for a positive doping test.

Tigst Assefa

An Ethiopian runner who previously held the women's marathon world record of 2:11:53, which was broken by Chepngetich.

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What they’re saying

“Today was fantastic—not what I was expecting, but it is good.”

— Fotyen Tesfay

“My plan was to attack the world record but today there was a lot of wind, I was not able to push in the last part of the race. Today I did not succeed, but in the next marathon I would like to try for the world record.”

— Fotyen Tesfay

What’s next

Tesfay plans to attempt the women's marathon world record in her next marathon race.

The takeaway

Tesfay's impressive debut marathon performance highlights the ongoing progression and competitiveness in women's marathon running, despite the controversy surrounding the previous world record holder Chepngetich's ban from the sport.