After narrowly missing out on the Stockholm marathon crown last year, Edwin Kosgei returns to the Swedish capital on Saturday with unfinished business, his sights firmly set on conquering the streets of Stockholm.
In last year’s showdown, Kosgei clocked 2:11:45 to settle for second place in a commanding all-Kenyan podium sweep.
That contest saw Onesmus Kiplimo surge to victory in 2:11:34, while Silas Sugut completed the Kenyan lockout after timing 2:12:01 for third place.
The Stockholm assignment will mark Kosgei’s first marathon outing of the season after wrapping up his 2025 campaign on a frustrating note.
Fresh from his Stockholm podium finish, Kosgei lined up at the Seoul Marathon in November but endured a disappointing race, failing to finish as compatriot Nicholas Kitundu stormed to victory in 2:05:32.
The Kenyan will also be chasing a long-awaited breakthrough marathon triumph after a string of near misses across his 42km career.
His marathon résumé boasts a third-place finish at the 2023 Seoul Marathon in 2:07:31, alongside another podium showing at the 2021 Wien Marathon, where he clocked 2:10:11 for third place.
Kosgei will not be flying the Kenyan flag alone in Stockholm, with Edwin Kiptoo also set to make his first marathon appearance of the year.
Kiptoo heads into the race buoyed by a solid 2025 campaign that could provide the springboard for a maiden Stockholm triumph.
Remarkably, every race he lined up for last season ended with a podium finish.
He opened with a runner-up finish at Mexico’s Medio Maratón de la Ciudad, clocking 1:03:28, before following it up with a third-place effort at the Algiers Half Marathon in 1:03:32.
Adding more Kenyan muscle to the elite field is Moses Kibet, who will be eager to extend his bright start to the 2026 season.
Kibet launched his campaign with a third-place finish at the Guadalajara Half Marathon in Mexico on February 22, crossing the line in 1:03:43.
He will also be hunting his first marathon victory since November 2024, when he triumphed at the Hangzhou Marathon in China after stopping the clock at 2:09:02.
Luke Kiprop is also in the mix, seeking to reboot his 2026 season after a sluggish start at the Marrakech Marathon on January 26, where he placed 10th in 2:12:11.
In the women’s race, Monicah Wanjuhi will step up to the full marathon distance alongside Rebeca Kangogo as the Kenyan contingent looks to make its mark across both fields.
Wanjuhi opened her 2026 season with a podium finish at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in the United States, clocking 1:10:37 for third place.
Kangogo, meanwhile, arrives in Stockholm fresh from an impressive runner-up finish at the Düsseldorf Marathon in Germany, where she timed 2:27:27 behind compatriot Tecla Kibet, who claimed victory in 2:25:15.
