Zevenheuvelenloop 15K 2026 results: Matata runs 40:49 and Ayichew wins in 45:29
By AthRecs Editorial · 1 min read
Alex Matata won the Nijmegen 15K in 40 minutes 49 seconds on Sunday 15 November. Asayech Ayichew won the women's race in 45 minutes 29 seconds, and Mike Foppen lowered his Dutch 15K record to 42:10.
Matata turns last year's second into a solo win
Last year's runner-up took the decision out of any finishing sprint this time. Alex Matata made his break around seven kilometres and finished 37 seconds ahead of Benjamin Ratsim. Gabriel Gerald Geay held third by a single second from Adisu Getenet.
Mike Foppen was fifth on home roads, taking 32 seconds off his previous Dutch mark. Stefan Nillessen helped set the pace after racing the 7K the evening before. Jenberu Sisay and Dan Kibet followed in sixth and seventh.
Ayichew backs up her Dam tot Damloop win
Asayech Ayichew had already broken a long-standing course record at the Dam tot Damloop in September. In Nijmegen she finished 27 seconds ahead of Olympic steeplechase champion Peruth Chemutai. Melak Muleta completed the women's podium, with Maureen Koster fourth and Tibeb Enyew fifth.
Megan Keith's European record bid featured in the preview. The published podium places belong to Ayichew, Chemutai and Muleta. The headline times below are the gun times shown by Sporthive.
| Class | Place | Athlete or team | Gun time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 1 | Asayech Ayichew | 45:29 |
| Women | 2 | Peruth Chemutai | 45:56 |
| Women | 3 | Melak Muleta | 46:44 |
| Men | 1 | Alex Matata | 40:49 |
| Men | 2 | Benjamin Ratsim | 41:26 |
| Men | 3 | Gabriel Gerald Geay | 42:04 |
Results sources and photo credits
Sources: Garmin Zevenheuvelenloop and Zevenheuvelennacht official results · NOS race report · Photo credit and original · CC BY 3.0 image licence
Quick answers
Who won at Zevenheuvelenloop 15K in 2026?
Alex Matata won the Nijmegen 15K in 40 minutes 49 seconds on Sunday 15 November. Asayech Ayichew won the women's race in 45 minutes 29 seconds, and Mike Foppen lowered his Dutch 15K record to 42:10.
Did Mike Foppen break the Dutch 15K record?
Yes. Foppen ran 42:10 in Nijmegen, 32 seconds faster than his previous Dutch record.