Agnes Ngetich continued her remarkable 2026 season after storming to victory at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon in Japan on Sunday, 18 October, setting a new course record in the women’s race.The reigning world half marathon champion clocked 1:04:23 to secure the title, lowering the previous course mark by more than three minutes and adding another prestigious victory to her growing collection of achievements this year.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsNgetich’s triumph capped another impressive performance by the Kenyan contingent, with Alexander Mutiso Munyao winning the men’s race in 59:51 to also set a new course record.Kenya enjoyed further success in the men’s category as Kiprono Sitonik and James Mutuku finished second and third, respectively, completing a clean sweep of the podium. ##NAJAVA_MECA_10036299##Tabitha Kamau also secured second place in the women’s race.Ngetich arrived in Tokyo in impressive form following a season in which she has demonstrated her versatility across cross-country, track and road racing.Her latest victory comes just weeks after she claimed gold in the women’s half marathon at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she clocked 1:05:15 to establish a new women-only world record.Gabby Thomas reveals how sibling rivalry fuels her competitiveness on the trackThe Kenyan had opened her season by winning the women’s race at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, United States, before adding another victory at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour.She subsequently bounced back from a rare setback at the New York Half Marathon to win the Lille 10K in France before successfully defending her title at the New York Mini 10K.Ngetich later switched to the track, where she won the women’s 3,000m at the Monaco Diamond League, further underlining her ability to compete across different distances.Her Tokyo performance provides another highlight in a season defined by major victories and record-breaking displays.Olympic 800m star announces pregnancy after difficult period on the trackNgetich has established herself among the fastest women in distance running history, with her personal best of 1:03:04, set during her victory at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon, ranking as the second-fastest performance ever recorded over the distance.Only Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey has run faster.Ngetich now holds world records in the women’s 10km mixed race, women-only 10km and women-only half marathon, cementing her status as one of Kenya’s leading figures in distance running.Ahead of the Tokyo race, the world champion had expressed confidence in her preparations and was eager to deliver a strong performance, expectations she fulfilled with a commanding victory and a new course record.World Athletics explain major factor that won Kenya 2029 World Championships bidPresident William Ruto congratulated Mutiso and Ngetich on their respective victories, praising the athletes for setting new course records in Tokyo.He also commended Sitonik and Mutuku for securing second and third place in the men’s race, highlighting Kenya’s complete sweep of the podium.“We applaud Team Kenya for sweeping the podium in the men’s race and winning the women’s race at the Tokyo Legacy Half-Marathon in Japan,” Ruto said.He added: “Hongera, Team Kenya!”