Rodrigue Kwizera delivered a performance for the ages at the Generali Prague Half Marathon, defending his title with a devastating course record of 58:16 — the fifth-fastest half marathon time in the world in 2026 and a new national record. The Burundian runner dismantled a quality field on the fast Czech capital streets, confirming his status as one of the most exciting road runners on the planet.
Kwizera's race was a masterclass in pace judgement and controlled aggression. He passed through 10km in perfect rhythm before gradually increasing the pace through the second half, a negative-split strategy that left his rivals unable to respond. By the 15km mark, the race was effectively over as a contest, with Kwizera pulling away to finish alone and in absolute command.
The men's podium reflected the extraordinary depth of the field, with Samwel Chebolei Masai taking second in 58:48 and Owen Korir Kapkama earning bronze in 58:58 — meaning all three medallists dipped under 59 minutes. The Prague course has built a reputation as one of the fastest in Europe, and Kwizera's record underlines that status.
In the women's race, Caroline Makandi Gitonga of Kenya secured victory in a strong 1:06:16, holding off a determined challenge from the chasing pack. Nearly 15,000 runners crossed the finish line across all events, with 16 elite athletes recording personal bests — a testament to the quality of the RunCzech organisation and the speed of the Prague course.
Kwizera's progression over the past 18 months has been remarkable. From a promising young road runner to a consistent sub-59 performer, he now enters conversations about potential major marathon debutants. Whether he makes the step up to the full 26.2 miles in the coming year remains to be seen, but on this evidence, the future of Burundian distance running has never looked brighter.