The Generali Cologne Marathon can also look forward to a top-class elite field in the women’s race. With defending champion Fantu Shugi (Ethiopia) and Kenyan runners Agnes Keino, Jackline Chepngeno, and Faith Chepkoech, four athletes with personal bests under 2:27 hours will be at the starting line. Together, they will pursue a clear goal on October 4: to challenge the course record of 2:25:34 hours, which has stood since 2012.
Fantu Shugi’s return, in particular, promises an exciting race. The 25-year-old Ethiopian won the 2025 Generali Cologne Marathon with a personal best of 2:29:12. A few months later, she confirmed her impressive progress at the Dubai Marathon, where she improved her personal best to an impressive 2:23:29.
“I’m very excited to be back in Cologne and to defend my 2025 title. The city and the many people lining the course made my victory last year an unforgettable experience. But I also know that I can run even faster on this course—and that’s exactly my goal on October 4,” says Fantu Shugi.
Agnes Keino, one of the most experienced athletes in the field, is traveling to Cologne. The 38-year-old Kenyan set her personal best of 2:22:53 at the 2024 Frankfurt Marathon, making her one of the fastest runners in the field. She demonstrated her current form at the Milan Marathon in the spring of 2026, which she finished in 2:26:15.
Jackline Chepngeno also has everything it takes for a top-notch race. The 33-year-old Kenyan ran her personal best of 2:24:21 at the 2021 Istanbul Marathon. After a lengthy injury-related break and the birth of her child, she made an impressive comeback this spring, winning the Linz Marathon in 2:26:01. In Cologne, she aims to stay under the 2:25 mark once again.
Rounding out the top quartet is Faith Chepkoech. The 28-year-old Kenyan is already very familiar with the Cologne course. At the 2025 Generali Cologne Marathon, she finished third with a time of 2:31 hours. She set her personal best of 2:26:22 hours at the 2024 Vienna Marathon. With her experience and knowledge of the course, she, too, is among the contenders for a spot on the podium.
Markus Frisch, managing director of Kölner AusdauerSport GmbH, is optimistic about the race:
“With Fantu Shugi, Agnes Keino, Jackline Chepngeno, and Faith Chepkoech, we’ve assembled an exceptionally strong women’s field. The level of competition is higher than it has been in a long time. Our goal is to offer spectators an exciting race at the top international level. I’m convinced that the course record of 2:25:34 hours is in serious jeopardy this year.”
