Rwandan Athlete Wins Bronze at World Road Running Championships
Rwandan athlete Florence Niyonkuru has won a bronze medal in the women’s half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Niyonkuru completed the 21.1-kilometre race in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 8 seconds, setting a new Rwandan national record in the half marathon. She finished third behind Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich, who won gold, and her compatriot Veronica Loleo, who took silver.
The medal adds to a strong 2026 season for Niyonkuru, who previously won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. That achievement was historic as she became the first Rwandan woman to win a medal at the Games.
The 25-year-old athlete represents Sina Gérard Athletics Team and has continued to establish herself as a long-distance runner. She gained further recognition after winning gold in the half marathon at the 2025 Kigali International Peace Marathon.
Earlier this year, Niyonkuru also won gold in the 10,000 metres at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, further demonstrating her strength in long-distance events.
In Copenhagen, Niyonkuru remained among the leading runners during the early stages of the race before Ngetich pulled away from the rest of the field. Ngetich won gold in 1:05:15, while Loleo secured silver.
Niyonkuru’s bronze adds another international achievement to her growing career and strengthens Rwanda’s presence in long-distance athletics on the international stage.
