2026 XM Limassol Marathon draws thousands of local, international runners

The competitive programme of the XM Limassol Marathon reached its peak on March 22, 2026 with Limassol welcoming thousands of runners from Cyprus and abroad. Participants competed in the four individual race categories of the event, each aiming to secure a place on the podium.

Proceedings began with the XM Marathon Race, where more than 1,000 athletes lined up at the starting line to take on the challenge of the 42km coastal route.

Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis, together with XM Co-Chief Executive Officer, Stavri Morti officially set off the race. This year marked the first time XM supported the Limassol Marathon as Title Sponsor.

“It is with great pleasure that XM assumed, for the first time this year, the role of Title Sponsor of the Limassol Marathon, supporting an institution of special significance for our city,” said XM Co CEO Morti. “The Marathon is a celebration of strength, endurance and unity, elements that bring us together and inspire us. This year, we ran for a particularly important cause, standing alongside those who face their daily battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Together, we proved that when we join forces, no obstacle is insurmountable.”

For his part, Business Development Director of the XM Limassol Marathon, Andreas Spyrou expressed satisfaction at the event’s turnout. “I believe that this year’s XM Limassol Marathon was the best we have experienced in recent years, with personal bests, record participation, a strong international presence and thousands of spectators at the starting line. We could not have asked for anything more,” he said.

Winners of the four race categories:

The winner of the XM Marathon in the men’s category was Cypriot athlete Giorgos Tofi of Gymnastikos Syllogos “Evagoras” (GSE), with a time of 02:26:12. Second place was secured by Marcin Cieplak with 02:29:26, and third place by Constantinos Christofi with 02:36:43.

In the women’s category, Elia Ioannou claimed first place with a time of 02:51:48, followed by Stephanie Humphrey in second place with 03:04:33, and Martyna Hert-Gajewska in third place with 03:08:29.

As part of the XM Marathon Race, the Cyprus Athletics Organisation National Championship was also held, with athletes from the federation’s six gymnastic clubs participating.

President of the Cyprus Amateur Athletics Association Pericles Markaris expressed his satisfaction with the high level of participation. “I am pleased to have seen smiles on the faces of runners of all ages,” he said. “Participation itself is of great value, as is crossing the finish line. I would like to congratulate the organisers and all those who contributed to this successful event, as well as the volunteers, the athletes and, of course, the winners.”

National Championship results:

Men
1st: Giorgos Tofi – 02:26:12
2nd: Andreas Prodromou – 02:37:23
3rd: Giorgos Toumazis – 02:41:53

All three winners are from GSE

Women
1st: Elia Ioannou (GSP) – 02:51:48
2nd: Stavroula Thrasyvoulou (GSO) – 03:08:41
3rd: Irina Bevzik (GSZ) – 03:10:15

As part of the XM Limassol Marathon, the following races also took place: the Muskita Half Marathon 21km, the Petrolina Energy Race 10km and the Axlebolt Individual Race 5km.

The results were as follows:

Muskita Half Marathon 21km

Men
1st: Christos Lambris – 01:12:43
2nd: Archimedes Kavakidis – 01:12:55
3rd: Nick Ovuca – 01:14:40

Women
1st: Ekaterina Shabalina – 01:18:47
2nd: Svitlana Korobkina – 01:22:13
3rd: Weronika Spolska – 01:28:08

Petrolina Energy Race 10km

Men
1st: Aleksei Petrovskii – 00:31:46
2nd: Mikhail Bastrakov – 00:32:34
3rd: Artur Baigildin – 00:34:10

Women
1st: Elizaveta Polianskaia – 00:37:42
2nd: Tamara Meteleva – 00:38:27
3rd: Jasmin Volz – 00:38:33

Axlebolt Individual Race 5km

Men
1st: Ugis Jocis – 00:15:41
2nd: Alexandros Skourtis – 00:15:56
3rd: Andreas Michara – 00:16:04

Women
1st: Elza Priedite – 00:18:31
2nd: Aleksandra Kalistratova – 00:18:40
3rd: Jasmin Volz – 00:18:44

For yet another year, the XM Limassol Marathon confirmed its position as the largest sporting event in Cyprus, with more than 17,000 entries and 3,000 runners from 68 countries. The six race routes, combined with the parallel weekend activities, highlighted the values of sportsmanship, contribution and cooperation.