Kenya's Zablon Chumba and Ethiopia's Abebech Afework headline a busy racing weekend as they return to defend last year’s titles at the EDP Lisbon Marathon set for Saturday, 10 October.Facing fierce competition in their bid for back-to-back victories, the duo is just part of a storied event, with the marathon part of a massive running weekend that also includes the Hyundai Half Marathon and the EDP 8K set for Sunday, 11 October.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsMen's defending champion, Chumba, carries not just knowledge of the course and a winning pedigree but is one of seven athletes boasting personal bests (PBs) under 2:08. ##NAJAVA_MECA_10010062##His 2:07:11, dating back to October last year at this same race, is not the fastest on paper, but puts a target on his back as he goes up against stronger opposition.The standout contenders include fellow Kenyans Jonathan Kiplimo Maiyo, whose PB of 2:04:56 dates back to 2012. He has raced once this year, clocking 2:13:16 for third in Sao Paulo and would have to muster his 2012 form to challenge for the title.Timothy Misoi, whose 2:06:07 best came earlier this year in Hamburg, presents a tougher challenge for Chumba, with his best time closer to Andualem Belay Shiferaw's 2:05:45 course record set in 2022.Agnes Ngetich, Sabastian Sawe lead Kenyan charge in 2026 World Athlete of the Year nominationsThe field also includes Ethiopian challengers Abdi Ali Gelchu (PB 2:07:15) and Asefa Mengisa (PB 2:07:47).In the women's division, following her 2:29:00 victory last year, Afework arrives in the Portuguese capital riding high on a strong 2:23:52 performance in Dubai earlier in the year.##NAJAVA_MECA_10010072##She faces a stacked field that could challenge the course record of 2:24:13, set on the previous course layout by Sarah Chepchirchir.Ruth Chebitok, with a 2:21:03 PB from Vienna in 2022, headlines the entries on paper, with Sintayehu Tilahun close behind courtesy of her 2:22:19 best from 2022 in Milan. Tilahun took third in Milan again this year (2:25:29) and heads to Lisbon in top form.Ethiopia's Worknesh Alemu (PB 2:24:42) adds further depth, bringing the tally of sub-2:25 women to four.Nairobi United close in on Harambee Stars forwardMeanwhile, Titus Ekiru's 1:00:12 course record dating back to 2019 will be challenged as Ethiopia's Fantahun Hunegnaw, who holds a 1:00:10 half marathon PB alongside a 2:06:04 marathon mark, headlines the men's Hyundai Half Marathon.Uganda's Abel Chebet (PB 1:00:31) poses a major threat, as does Kenya's Brian Kibet Kogo, who returns to Lisbon after a 1:01:23 debut over the distance in March. Eritrea's Merhawi Mebrahtu is also back in Lisbon following his 1:01:11 PB earlier.In the women's race, with Peres Jepchirchir’s long-standing course record of 1:06:54, set in 2019, firmly in the crosshairs, Kenya's Dolphine Omare (PB 1:06:05) leads the contenders. ##NAJAVA_MECA_10010067##The lineup is further bolstered by Ethiopia's emerging talent Debash Desta (PB 1:08:10) and Kenya's Margret Chacha (PB 1:08:57).
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