Kenyan Omare storms to Lisbon half marathon crown as Adugna wins Ethiopian duel

Kenya’s Dolphine Omare produced a decisive late-race surge to win the women’s title at the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday, while Ethiopia’s Zerihun Adugna held off Uganda’s Titus Musau in a thrilling men’s finish.

Omare crossed the line in 1:07:25 after breaking away around the 17km mark, finishing ahead of compatriot Margret Chacha (1:08:14) and Ethiopia’s Kuftu Tahir (1:09:04).

Adugna, competing in his first half marathon, timed his finish perfectly to win in 1:02:01, just four seconds clear of Musau. Kenya’s Brian Kogo completed the podium in 1:02:07.

Omare’s victory was particularly impressive given her European debut and her charge towards the course record of 1:06:54. Although she fell short of the mark, her performance secured the fifth-fastest winning time in the event’s history.

Nearly 18,000 runners took part in the half marathon and the EDP 8K, turning Lisbon into a showcase of international road-running talent.