By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Djibouti, 24 January 2026 - Mouhyadin Abdi Wais of Djibouti's Republican Guard claimed victory at the 25th Djibouti International Half Marathon on Friday, leading a competitive field that underscored the host nation’s rising dominance in regional long-distance running.
The milestone 25th edition saw a high-profile lineup of runners, including international athletes representing Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia, Burundi, Angola, and Kenya. They were joined by Djibouti's top distance runners, who ultimately secured a clean sweep of the podium.
Wais took the title ahead of Hani Idriss Hirsi of the Coast Guard, who improved on his previous performance to take second. Ayanleh Abdi Abdillahi, another member of the Republican Guard, finished third.
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"Today we see a disciplined generation, well-supported and capable of competing with the best runners in the region," said Moumin Guelleh, a three-time winner of the race who now serves as a coach.
Organized by the Djiboutian Athletics Federation and supported by Djibouti-Telecom, the event was broadcast live on national radio. To promote grassroots athletics, the federation also held secondary races, including a 10 km event for boys and a 5 km race for girls.
While the Horn of Africa is a historic stronghold for Ethiopian and Kenyan runners, Djibouti has successfully utilized its military and security institutions—such as the Republican Guard—to develop a professional tier of athletes capable of defending the home turf in international competitions.
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