This year, the Generali Cologne Marathon can look forward to a top-class elite men’s field. With course record holder Barnaba Kipkoech (Kenya), marathon world champion Victor Kiplangat (Uganda) and two-time Hamburg Marathon winner Bernard Koech (Kenya), three top international athletes have already been confirmed for the race on 4 October.
The 33-year-old Barnaba Kipkoech delivered one of the strongest performances in the history of the event at the 2025 Generali Cologne Marathon. The Kenyan won the race in 2:06:54 hours, setting a new course record and achieving a personal best at the same time.
Kipkoech also confirmed his strong form this spring at the Tokyo Marathon, which he completed in 2:08:20.
“I have wonderful memories of Cologne. The atmosphere along the route, the enthusiasm of the spectators and the fast course helped make last year’s race a special one for me. I’m really looking forward to returning to Cologne and defending my title,” explains Barnaba Kipkoech.
Victor Kiplangat, a world-class athlete, has also announced his participation in the Generali Cologne Marathon. The 26-year-old Ugandan won the gold medal in the marathon at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, crowning himself world champion.
Kiplangat set his personal best of 2:05:09 at the Hamburg Marathon in 2022. He too has been in good form recently, clocking a time of 2:08:29 at the Paris Marathon in spring 2026.
The Ugandan comes from an exceptional family of runners. He is the half-brother of Jacob Kiplimo, the current world record holder in the half marathon and multiple cross-country world champion. Kiplangat himself is the father of five children and has been one of Africa’s most successful long-distance runners for years.
“Cologne has built up an excellent reputation as a marathon venue in recent years. The fast course and the fantastic atmosphere make the race very attractive. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to an exciting race against strong competition,” says Victor Kiplangat.
The top trio is completed by Bernard Koech. The 38-year-old Kenyan has been among the world’s elite marathon runners for many years and arrives in Cologne with a personal best of 2:04:09. Koech gained international recognition in particular through his two victories at the Hamburg Marathon, where he triumphed in 2023 and 2024. On his first win, he also set a new course record. With his experience and impressive personal best, Koech is one of the most promising candidates for victory at the Generali Cologne Marathon 2026.
Markus Frisch, Managing Director of Kölner AusdauerSport GmbH, is looking forward to the elite race with great anticipation:
“With Barnaba Kipkoech, Bernard Koech and Victor Kiplangat, we have secured three top athletes for the Generali Cologne Marathon at an early stage. A defending champion, a world champion and an athlete with a personal best of 2:04 hours underline our ambition to bring top-class international sport to Cologne. Together with the other athletes we will be introducing in the coming weeks, spectators can look forward to world-class marathon racing.”
