On March 23, top international runners return for the Half Marathon!

This morning, at Palazzo Cusani, the press conference for the presentation of the 2025 Stramilano Half Marathon took place, introducing some of the best athletes in the international running scene.

This year, the Stramilano Half Marathon has received a prestigious recognition in the international running community: during this morning’s press conference, the World Athletics Heritage Plaque was awarded, the highest tribute granted by the International Association of Athletics Federations to historic and iconic sporting competitions.
The prestigious award in the “Competition” category was officially presented by Chris Turner, Director of the Heritage Department & Museum of World Athletics (MOWA), to Michele Mesto and Andrea Alzati, respectively President and Vice President of Stramilano.

On Sunday, March 23, the renowned Milanese half marathon will start from Piazza Castello at 8:30 AM, and the winner will be crowned at the foot of the historic Sforza Castle.

Among the female athletes, Giovanna Epis returns to the starting line. The 2022 Stramilano champion and marathoner with a personal best of 2:23:46 has recorded 1:10:15 in the half marathon. The Italian athlete, coached by the legendary Giorgio Rondelli, will face tough competition, including Kenya’s Morine Gesare Michira, last year’s runner-up, who is determined to claim the top spot on the podium.
Another athlete to watch is Stella Chebet Mateiko, an emerging talent capable of running 21 km in 1:09:28, and sister of renowned marathoner Daniel Mateiko.

Among the men, the fastest entrant is Kenya’s Charles Yosey Mneria, boasting a personal best of 1:00:28. Other strong contenders for the title include Shadrack Kipkurui Kenduiywo, who has completed the half marathon in 1:00:40, and Simon Mwangi Waithira, last year’s third-place finisher.

Also worth watching is Rwandan Yves Nimubona, with a personal best of 1:00:57, young Kenyan Zacharia Krop, who recently delivered a strong performance at the Naples Half Marathon, finishing in 1:01:33, and Burundi’s Therence Bizoza, who finished eighth at the 2024 Stramilano.

Representing Italy, Stefano Massimi aims to improve his personal best of 1:03:43, while Alessandro Giacobazzi, the 2022 Italian marathon champion, will also be competing.

The Record to Beat

This year, the record to beat is the one set two years ago by Cosmas Mwangi Boi, who won the 50th-anniversary edition of the event with a time of 59:40.

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