The former world record holder crossed the line in 1:05:40, beating the previous mark established by Edith Chelimo in 2017. Ethiopian runners Wede Kefale and Tigist Tesema finished second and third respectively.
“It was a tough course but I kept fighting so I’m happy to get the victory here,” Jepkosgei said after the race. The experienced campaigner, a previous winner of both the London and New York marathons, controlled the race from the front and never looked under serious threat.
In the men’s race, Kenya’s Gideon Kiprotich claimed victory in 59:43. He finished ahead of Ethiopia’s Yismaw Dillu, the 2025 champion, while Bahrain’s Jonah Rutio took third place.
The wheelchair events were won by Poland’s Sam Kolek in the men’s category and Britain’s Mel Nicholls in the women’s race.
More than 29,000 runners took part in the popular 13.1-mile event around the Welsh capital, which was staged in bright conditions. Among the high-profile participants were athletics legend Dame Kelly Holmes, former Wales rugby prop Adam Jones and ex-Wales football captain Aaron Ramsey.
The Cardiff Half Marathon continues to attract a strong international field and remains one of the highlight events on the British road-running calendar.