Philemon Kiriago won the 2026 Sierre-Zinal for the third time, attributing his success to team run2gether. He highlighted the importance of teamwork and mutual support. Kiriago also shared his plans for the remainder of the summer, including races in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Kiriago emphasized the significance of mental and physical preparation, crediting his coach Geoffrey Gikuni for their success. He noted that while they were close to breaking the course record, they chose to focus on teamwork over individual records. Kiriago plans to continue competing in various international races. Read more racing coverage.
The Kenyan runner expressed his love for the Sierre-Zinal, describing it as a second home. He plans to stay in Europe until mid-September before traveling to China, Japan, Canada, and South Korea. Kiriago looks forward to the challenges ahead, aiming to maintain his winning form. Related: Patrick Kipngeno Reflects on Sierre-Zinal Performance and Upcoming Races.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from iRunFar. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.