Kipkorir, the 2025 Copenhagen Half Marathon champion, will spearhead Kenya’s challenge in a stacked men’s field that organisers say could threaten several national and continental records.
Race organisers have also confirmed that Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo will be targeting the world half marathon record on the fast Lisbon course.
“The men’s field is set to be one of the strongest in the history of the Portuguese half marathon, with several national and potentially continental records under threat.
“This is in addition to Jacob Kiplimo’s highly anticipated attempt to break the world record,” organisers said.
Kipkorir heads into the race in strong form after an impressive start to his 2026 season. The 27-year-old opened the year with a runners-up finish at the Burj2Burj Half Marathon on February 8.
He clocked 59:28 to finish just behind Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, who won the race in 59:26, while Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu completed the podium in 59:30.
The Kenyan also arrives in Lisbon with a proven record over the half marathon distance. Last year, he won the Copenhagen Half Marathon in 58:23 and the Al Khobar Half Marathon in 59:28.
His résumé also includes third-place finishes at the New Delhi Half Marathon (59:59) and Al Khobar Half Marathon (1:00:23) in 2024.
Joining him in the Kenyan contingent is Gilbert Kiprotich, who made an impressive half marathon debut last year.
Kiprotich first tested his legs at the Malaga Half Marathon, storming to victory in 58:27 before later finishing fifth in Copenhagen in 59:54.
However, the Kenyan duo will face a stern challenge from Kiplimo, who has fond memories of the Lisbon course after smashing the world record there in 2021 with a remarkable 57:31.
That mark was later broken by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who clocked 57:30 in 2024.
In the women’s race, Janeth Chepng’etich, the 2024 African Athletics Championships 10,000m champion, will carry Kenya’s hopes.
Chepng’etich recently signalled her intentions during the third Athletics Kenya weekend meeting in Kapsabet.
“My next race will be in Lisbon and I hope for the best,” she said.
Since making her half marathon debut in 2022, Chepng’etich has steadily built her reputation on the roads. She won the Udine Half Marathon in 1:08:24 before finishing second at the Prague Half Marathon in 2023 with a time of 1:06:42 behind Irine Jepchumba (1:06:00). Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray finished third in 1:07:15.
Later that year, she secured another podium finish at the Valencia Half Marathon, clocking 1:05:15 to place behind Margaret Chelimo (1:04:46) and Irine Cheptai (1:04:53).
However, Chepng’etich will face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama, the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships silver medallist, setting up an intriguing duel on the streets of Lisbon.
