Crippa vs Riva for the Italian men’s half marathon record.
Crippa vs Kwemoi for the race record
Everything is in place for a spectacular edition of the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon on Sunday, 22 February. With more than 10,000 runners expected at the start line and a stellar international elite field ready to make history, interest in Naples continues to build as race day approaches.
At the heart of the anticipation is the duel between Italy’s leading distance runners, Pietro Riva and Yeman Crippa, who will battle for the Italian men’s half marathon record. Adding further excitement is the presence of Kenya’s Brian Kirui Kwemoi, who will challenge Crippa for the race record.
The Elite Field
The spotlight is firmly on Yemaneberhan “Yeman” Crippa, making his return as an undefeated champion. Crippa holds the Italian half marathon record of 59:26, set in Naples in 2022, when he became the first Italian athlete to break the one-hour barrier over the distance and simultaneously established the race record.
Crippa arrives in Naples as the current European Half Marathon Champion, having claimed gold at the Rome 2024 European Championships. His résumé also includes:
- gold medals at the European Team Championships over 5,000m (2021),
- gold in the 10,000m
- bronze in the 5,000m at the 2022 European Championships,
- a seventh-place finish at the 2019 World Championships (10,000m),
- and bronze at the 2018 European Championships (10,000m).
Crippa is also Italy’s national record holder over multiple distances:
- 3,000m (7:37.90, 2021),
- 5,000m (13:02.26, 2020),
- indoor 5,000m (13:23.99, 2017),
- 5 km road (13:14, 2022),
- 10,000m (27:10.76, 2019),
- 10 km road (27:08, 2024),
- and the half marathon (59:26, 2022).
His marathon best of 2:06:06 makes him the second-fastest Italian of all time in this distance.
Standing alongside him is Pietro Riva, the only other Italian to have broken the one-hour barrier, with a personal best of 59:41 set in Valencia in 2023. Among Riva’s achievements are:
- European U20 10,000m title in 2015,
- seven national championships (5,000m, 10 km road, 10,000m and half marathon),
- silver at the 2024 European Half Marathon Championships,
- and a fifth-place finish at the 2022 European 10,000m Championships.
Adding further depth to the field is Brian Kirui Kwemoi (KEN), who shares the current race record of 59:26 with Crippa after winning the 2024 edition. Fellow Kenyan Mkulia Kipkandie, fresh off a 59:48 at the 2025 Krems Half Marathon, will also be a strong contender for the podium. Another Kenyan, Owen Korir Kapkama, aims to improve on his recent 1:00:25 from the Seville Half Marathon.
Europe responded with Bohdan-Ivan Horodyskyi (UKR), three-time national half marathon champion (2020, 2021, 2025), two-time national 10,000m champion and Ukrainian half marathon record holder (1:00:40).
Chasing closely are Kenyans Andrea Kiptoo (1:01:30, Boston 2025) and Evans Kipkorir (1:01:51, Florence 2025). Also on the start line is Estonia’s national record holder across multiple distances, Tiidrek Nurme, with a personal best of 1:02:20.
From the Czech Republic, Martin Zajíc, member of RunCzech Racing Team, is looking to improve his 1:02:31 personal best, and Jan Friš, making his half marathon debut after clocking 28:43 over 10 km in Valencia in 2025. The field also includes Moroccans Yassine Zaki (1:02:34) and Yahya Kadiri (1:02:49), Belgium’s Yohan Zaradzki (1:03:35), and Israel’s Yitayew Abuhai (1:03:40).
Rounding out the elite group are Italy’s Giovanni Susca, Switzerland’s Roberto Delorenzi, Morocco’s Mohammed Zouioula, Ethiopian debutant Tslalom Haftu, and Belgian newcomer Thys Moreau.
Weekend Full of Events
Sport and wellness take center stage with the non-competitive events, open to everyone and not requiring federation membership or a competitive medical certificate.
The Family Run & Friends will take place on Saturday, 21 February 2026, starting at 11:00 am, over an approximately 2 km course. Registration is free for children under 10 years old. Entries are open online or onsite at the Expo Village on Friday, 20 February (15:00–20:00 pm) and Saturday, 22 February, until 30 minutes before the start.
On Sunday, 22 February, the Hyundai Relay will also take place, offering a shared race experience over 10 km + 11.0975 km, celebrating teamwork and solidarity. Registrations for the Hyundai Relay are now closed.
