Why RAK matters to Kamworor and what it could open up
Jeffrey Volunteer he returns to a place that helped shape his legend, and this time the mission feels personal.
On February 14, the three-time World Half Marathon Champion will continue with the 2026 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, returning to the smooth roads of Al Marjan Island, where the rhythm of the sea meets the rhythm of fast feet. Ras Al Khaimah has long been regarded as the world’s fastest half-marathon course, and for Kamworor, it represents both a memory and an opportunity to start 2026 in good shape.
It was on this course in 2013 that young Kamvoror announced himself with a breakthrough victory, showing a flash of strength and endurance that would define the next decade of his career. Over the years, he has become one of Kenya’s most reliable championship performers, collecting three half-marathon world titles and building a reputation for power that stretches from intercity mud to city marathon streets.
Kamworor’s name is placed alongside the fastest times ever recorded over 21.1 kilometers. In Copenhagen 2019, he set the half marathon world record in a stunning 58:01, a run that cemented his place among the greats and demonstrated his stride efficiency and endurance in the race. That mark remains his personal best and still carries weight every time he steps onto the starting line.
His journey has not been smooth. A serious broken leg from a car accident forced him to retire from racing at a time when he was in peak form. Recovery required patience and endurance, and when he returned to competitive road racing, he showed the same tenacity that had defined his early victories. He lowered his marathon personal best to 2:05:23 in Valencia in 2021, and in 2023 he finished a strong second in the London Marathon in 2:04:23, proving that his ceiling remains high. In 2025, he returned to the top of the podium in Rotterdam, winning in 2:04:33 and reminding the sport that his competitive fire still burns.
Now the half-marathon distance is calling him back.
2026 RAK Half Marathon comes as Kamvoror looks to reassert his career history, and the sea-level fast course offers just the kind of stage he loves. Training from his base in Kaptagat, he honed both speed and power with a discipline that defined his World Championship seasons. Those close to him speak of a focused athlete who knows the opportunity in front of him.
Ras Al Khaimah’s roads are smooth, turns are minimal and the speed is often relentless from the gun. It requires control through the early kilometers and faith in the final stretch when fatigue sets in and the body begins to question every step. The volunteer has built his career on embracing that moment. His racing style rarely seems rushed and he carries himself with the composure of someone who trusts his engine.
Kamworor represents a streak of distance running excellence that has defined the nation’s pride on global roads, and a strong performance in the UAE will serve as both a statement and a reminder that he remains a force in the sport. The Valentine’s Day setting may provide a picturesque backdrop, but for Kamworor the focus will be entirely on pace groups, splits and the final kilometres.
Ultimately, the Volunteer returns to a familiar battlefield, with experience etched into every step and unfinished goals that still drive him forward. No doubt February 14 will herald the next chapter in the career of one of the greatest distance runners of his generation, chasing time and legacy along the same roads where his journey first took off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGiImDp4gd8
