The 2021 London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei will line up as the favourite to clinch the tRUNsylvania 10K title in Brasov, Romania, on October 5.
Race organisers confirmed Jepkosgei’s entry into next month’s showdown in a statement. "Multiple world record-breaker Joyciline Jepkosgei is the leading attraction in a star-studded women’s field for the fifth edition of the tRUNsylvania 10K on Sunday, October 5," the statement read.
"The 31-year-old Kenyan has broken the 10km and half-marathon world records during her illustrious career, and she is famously the first woman to have run under 30 minutes for 10km on the road," the statement added. Jepkosgei arrives in Brasov on the back of an outstanding 2025 campaign.
The 31-year-old launched her season with a gritty fourth-place finish over 10km at the National Cross Country Championships in Eldoret on February 8, stopping the clock at 35:02.
Brillian Kipkoech (34:30), Maurine Chebor (34:33) and Stacey Ndiwa (34:55) claimed the podium on that occasion.
Just eight days later, Jepkosgei roared back to claim the Malaga Half Marathon crown on February 16, clocking 1:04:13. Gladys Chepkurui (1:06:25) and Ethiopia’s Zerihun Alemtsehay (1:08:19) completed the podium.
She then tested her endurance over the full marathon distance in London, finishing second in 2:18:44 behind Ethiopia’s imperious Tigst Assefa (2:15:50).
In June, Jepkosgei showcased her versatility at the Kenya Defence Forces Track and Field Championships, storming to victory in the 5,000m (15:23.6) before settling for second in the 10,000m (33:35.00). Her most recent outing came at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, where she crossed the line in 1:06:22 for fourth place.
Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw (1:04:44), Sharon Lokedi (1:05:00) and Wede Kefale (1:05:21) locked out the podium. Despite her glittering success on the roads, Jepkosgei’s appearance in Brașov marks her first competitive 10km outing in six years. Her personal best remains the former world record of 29:43, set in Prague in 2017. Jepkosgei's profile and trophy cabinet, however, remain rich in accolades.
She ran a world record for the Half Marathon of 1:04:52 at the Prague Half Marathon in April 2017, becoming the first woman ever to break 65 minutes.
Jepkosgei is also the 2018 World Half Marathon silver medallist from Valencia, as well as a bronze medallist over 10,000m from the 2016 Durban African Championships. Jepkosgei, however, faces an uphill task. The women’s field is stacked with firepower, with four other entrants boasting sub-30-minute credentials.
The standout rival is Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa, the 2022 and 2024 World U20 5,000m champion, who has been the class act on the roads this year. The 20-year-old, undefeated in three road race appearances in 2025, clocked a blistering 29:25 en route to victory in Castellon back in February, the fastest women’s 10km time of the year.
