Kenya’s Alex Matata claimed a commanding victory at the 2025 Istanbul Half Marathon, finishing in 59:40 on the fast, flat course. Matata’s strong and confident running helped him outpace a world-class field, cementing his reputation as one of the most promising half-marathoners today.
Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu, the fastest man in the field with a personal best of 59:06 and fresh from a marathon win in Seoul, pushed the pace from the start. Teklu, who previously finished third in Istanbul and holds multiple international titles, challenged Matata throughout the race. Their intense duel captivated spectators as Alex Matata pulled away in the final kilometres to secure the win.
Alex Matata’s performance marks another milestone in his rapid rise, following his earlier victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, where he set a personal best of 59:20 despite windy conditions. At 27 years old, Matata trains in Eldoret and has expressed his ambition to break into the 57-58 minute range in future races, aiming to improve his half-marathon times before moving up to the marathon distance in a few years.
Teklu’s strong showing demonstrated the depth of talent in this year’s Istanbul field, but Matata’s tactical pacing and finishing speed earned him the top spot and a prize of $20,000. The race featured several other elite runners, but none could match Matata’s late surge.
Alex Matata’s Best Career Moments
Kenyan runner Alex Matata has built an impressive career marked by several standout moments. In early 2025, he shattered his personal best by winning the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 59:20, cutting 17 seconds off his previous best and outpacing top competitors.
Matata also claimed victories at the Padova Half Marathon at 59:37, Bucharest Half Marathon at 1:01:04, and Antrim Coast Half Marathon at 59:46, showcasing consistent elite performances. His breakthrough continued with a win at the 2025 Istanbul Half Marathon, where he clocked 59:40 against a strong field.
Alex Matata aims to run sub-58 minutes in future races, signalling a rising star in half-marathon running.
This victory in Istanbul adds to Matata’s growing list of achievements and signals his readiness to challenge the world’s best in the half marathon.
