Defending Champions Kemboi, Ondoro Return to Lead UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon Elite Field

PITTSBURGH — Defending champions Everlyn Kemboi and Dominic Ondoro will return to headline a deep and competitive elite field at the 2026 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, featuring international standouts and top American contenders.

Kemboi captured the 2025 title in 1:10:06 and returns to Pittsburgh amid a continued rise on both the track and roads. She will be challenged by Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba Kejela, who owns the fastest personal best in the field (1:05:57) and is no stranger to success in Pittsburgh as a three-time EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler champion. Three-time U.S. national champion Stephanie Bruce also returns, seeking her third Pittsburgh Half Marathon title.

“It’s the first weekend in May—where else would I be?” Bruce said. “I’m stoked to be back in the Steel City for my fourth UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon.”

Additional contenders include Kenya’s Monicah Ngige (1:07:29 personal best) and rising American Annamaria Kostarellis, who placed fifth at the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships with a personal best of 1:10:57.

On the men’s side, Ondoro returns after winning the 2025 title in a personal-best 1:01:57. A proven veteran of the roads, his career highlights include five victories at Grandma’s Marathon and multiple wins at major U.S. races.

Morocco’s Mohammed El Youssfi enters with the fastest time in the field (59:21), set earlier this year, and will make his Pittsburgh debut as a top contender for the course record of 1:01:21. He also claimed victory at the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in 46:17. Amanuel Mesel brings extensive international experience to the race, including appearances at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

Among the top American contenders is Emad Bashir-Mohammed, 23, who owns a marathon best of 2:11:24 and a half marathon personal best of 1:01:18. Aidan Reed returns after a third-place finish in Pittsburgh in 2025. Also entered is Andrew Bowman, winner of the 2024 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.

The 2026 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon will offer a combined prize purse of $102,000, including $70,000 for the half marathon. Each half marathon champion will earn $10,000.

Elite athletes will be available to media following the Race Weekend Kickoff Press Conference on May 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

For more information, visit www.ThePittsburghMarathon.com.

About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events  

The Pittsburgh Marathon was held annually from 1985-2003. After a five-year hiatus, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon was relaunched in 2009 and debuted with a sold-out field of 10,000 participants. It has grown each year since, evolving from a single race day into a weekend of events for the whole family that annually attracts nearly 40,000 runners. Read more at: ThePittsburghMarathon.com   

About P3R

P3R is the region’s go-to premier sporting event and experience expert. While best known for the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R organizes up to 20 major events every year. With a rich history of working with top-tier clients such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the National Senior Games, and more, P3R brings operational excellence to every aspect of event planning and execution. As part of P3R’s non-profit mission to inspire any and all to MOVE with us, we provide premium event experiences and robust programming - including the Run for a Reason Charity Program, award-winning Kids of STEEL program, Pittsburgh Corporate Challenge, RUN Varsity, and more - that engage everyone in the Western Pennsylvania community and beyond.