MÁLAGA, SPAIN — Ugandan long-distance standout Mande Bushendich produced a sensational marathon debut on Sunday, storming to victory at the Generali Maratón de Málaga and smashing the course record in the process.
In his first appearance over the 42.195km distance, Bushendich crossed the finish line in a stunning 2:06:07, obliterating the previous course mark of 2:07:39. The emphatic win underscored his seamless transition to the marathon and instantly announced him as a major new force on the global road-running stage.
Setting a fierce tempo from the gun, the 28-year-old Ugandan quickly distanced himself from the field and turned the race into a solo pursuit of history. His finishing time ranks among the fastest marathon debuts ever recorded.
Bushendich’s triumph was made even more remarkable by the fact that he had not competed on the roads since 2021, making his return nothing short of extraordinary.
Men’s Top Results – Málaga Marathon
🥇 1. Mande Bushendich (Uganda) — 2:06:07 (Course Record, Debut)
🥈 2. Mike Kipkorir Chematot (Kenya) — 2:08:12 (Debut)
🥉 3. Zerei Kbrom Mezngi (Norway) — 2:09:59
With this dominant performance, Bushendich has firmly etched his name into the record books—and signaled that his marathon journey has begun in spectacular fashion.
