The 2026 Valencia half marathon became the story of the weekend with big names and fast times. Then in Japan, rain-drenched fans at the All Japan Race Walking Meeting were rewarded with insane performances.
Here are our top five stories from the weekend.
5. Masatora Kawano Sets Walk Marathon World Record
One of the preeminent names in the sport of competitive walking, Masatora Kawano stamped his name in the history books this weekend by setting the inaugural men’s walk marathon world record at the All Japan Race Walking meet.
Kawano is a two-time World Championships medalist in the 35k event, set the inaugural men’s walk marathon world record — after the event became an official record event in January — with a time of 2:55:14.
The time is all the more impressive considering the conditions, as Kawano trudged through heavy rain and slick roads to both set the official world record and beat Hayato Katsuki’s 2:55:28 set on the same course in 2025.
4. Bec Henderson Breaks World Walk Marathon Record
When Bec Henderson was sauntering through the soggy streets of Takahata, Japan, she was accomplishing something that no non-disabled Australian had done in 20 years: set a world record in an official championship event.
Smoke practically plumed from Henderson’s shoes from the blistering pace she was on, crossing the finish line three hours, 14 minutes and two seconds after she embarked on her trek at the All Japan Race Walking meet, way under the previous 3:15:11 mark.
It was Henderson’s marathon debut, where the longer distance clearly suits her after a ninth-place finish in the 35km at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Following in the footsteps of several Australian para athletes and athletes in non-championship disciplines that have set records recently, Henderson is pushing the walk marathon to new heights.
3. Emily Venters Finishes As Top American Woman in Valencia
As the Frankfurt Marathon saw a group of elite distance runners conquer 26.2 miles, the sun-drenched Mediterranean city of Valencia got to watch a ferocious half marathon that became the biggest story of the weekend.
Of the group participating in Spain. Emily Venters led the Americans once again. This has become commonplace for the 17-year-old American. She threw down a 1:07:37, not only finishing as the top American woman there, but setting a new personal best.
The former Kansas Jayhawk has been on an absolute tear this year, finishing in either first or second in a 5k, 8k, and 10k this year. She has also been pushing herself to longer distances, improving this weekend on her 1:09:46 half at the United Airlines NYC Half in March.
2. Sheila Chepkirui Resets World Lead At Half Marathon
The 2026 Valencia Half Marathon was headlined by a battle between two Kenyan stars, one that Sheila Chepkirui came out the victor as she set a new world lead of 1:03:51 to go along with her winner’s medal.
Chepkirui fought until the very last second with compatriot Diana Wanza, but ended up pulling away in the final few meters. Chepkirui out-kicked Wanza down the final stretch, crossing the finish line one second faster, as Wanza clocked a 1:03:52.
Chepkirui, boasting the same name as the 2024 New York City Marathon winner, has been hard at work on the half marathon trail, winning the Poznan Half Marathon in April with a 1:06:08 and finishing third at the Rimi Riga Half Marathon with a 1:06:01 earlier this year.
1. Rodrigue Kwizera’s Spanish Record Half Marathon
It’s pretty rare that a Spanish citizen can run the fastest European half marathon on his home turf and have it not count officially as a continental record, but that’s exactly what Rodrigue Kwizera spent his Sunday doing.
Born in Burundi, the 27-year-old distance runner became a Spanish citizen this summer, however World Athletics has not processed his transfer of Allegience. He represented Burundi at the 2023 Worlds and needs a three-year waiting period before his switch will be recognized.
Regardless, Kwizera took to the streets of Spain to dominate the 2026 Valencia Half Marathon, cashing in a 58:03 as became the first Spaniard to win the race since it adopted the official distance. The time is comfortably under Andreas Almgren‘s previous best of 58:06, but because of the allegiance transfer, Kwizera was only credited with the Spanish record.
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