Merida, Yucatan — Kenyan runner Stephen Ndege and Mexican athlete Micaela Rayo claimed victory in the 2026 Marina Marathon on Sunday, each securing their third consecutive title in the race that runs from Merida to the port city of Progreso.
Ndege took the lead at the 10-kilometer mark and never relinquished it, finishing the 42.195-kilometer course in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 33 seconds. He crossed the line 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Ernesto Cervantes of Guanajuato. Ivan Hidalgo of Tulancingo placed third.
Rayo, from Morelos, dominated from the start and finished in 2:50:25, improving on her 2024 time of 2:50:41. She nearly collapsed after crossing the finish line due to the high humidity.
“The humidity really breaks you,” Ndege said, noting that he had to pace himself carefully. His winning time was faster than last year’s 2:35:55.
A record 3,700 participants took part across multiple distances. The full marathon started at 4 a.m. near the Monumento a la Patria in Merida. Relay teams and wheelchair athletes started at the same time, while the half-marathon began at Komchen. A 5-kilometer race with nearly 1,000 runners started at the boardwalk in front of the Meteorite Museum.
The total prize purse exceeded 400,000 pesos, with 40,000 pesos awarded to each of the overall winners.
