Jepchirchir breaks world half marathon record in Ras al-Khaimah – AthleticsAfrica
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Kenya

Jepchirchir breaks world half marathon record in Ras al-Khaimah

Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir broke the world record in the women’s half marathon today, clocking 1:05:06 at the RAK Half half marathon in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE.

Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya winning the 2016 TCS World 10K in Bengaluru, India / Photo credit: TCS World 10K Organizers
Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya winning the 2016 TCS World 10K in Bengaluru, India / Photo credit: TCS World 10K Organizers

Peres Jepchirchir broke the world record in the women’s half marathon today, clocking 1:05:06 at the RAK Half half marathon in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE.

The 23-year-old Kenyan, who won the world title over the distance in 2016, knocked three seconds from the previous record set by her compatriot Florence Kiplagat in Barcelona two years ago.

On the way to this unexpected mark – she suffered from pneumonia for two months at the end of 2016 – Jepchirchir also clocked the 1:01:40 at 20km, the fastest ever in a mixed race, 14 seconds faster than Kiplagat’s performance, also set in Barcelona.

Behind her, three-time RAK champion Mary Keitany smashed her own best, and very nearly the old world record, with a 1:05:13 clocking, while Joyciline Jepkosgei ensured a Kenyan clean sweep, crossing the newly positioned finish line in 1:06:08, a personal best by almost three minutes.

In the men’s contest, IAAF World Half Marathon Championship and World Cross Country silver medallist Bedan Karoki, so often the bridesmaid on road, track and cross-country, surged to victory over the last three kilometres, in a time of 59:10.

Karoki richly deserved the win and the four-second personal best, having contributed enormously to the fast tempo being maintained in the second half of the race, once the pacemakers had stepped aside.

In second, last year’s fastest 10,000m runner Yigrem Demelash of Ethiopia, clocked 59:19, a lifetime best by 29 seconds, while the remarkable Augustine Choge, in only his third ever half marathon outing, also broached new ground with 59:26.

Selected Results:

MEN –
1. Bedan Karoki, KEN 59:10
2. Yigrem Demelash, ETH 59:19
3. Augustine Choge, KEN 59:26
4. Solomon Yego, KEN 59:50
5. Nguse Amlosom, ERI, 1:00:04

WOMEN –
1. Peres Jepchirchir, KEN 1:05:06
2. Mary Keitany, KEN, 1:05:13
3. Joyciline Jepkosgei, KEN, 1:06:08
4. Jemina Sumgong, KEN, 1:06:43
5. Tirunesh Dibaba, ETH, 1:06:50

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

(Organisers / IAAF)

Meet The Authors

The Editorial Board at AthleticsAfrica | Website | + Posts

AthleticsAfrica team of editors and contributors bring you the latest African track and field news, features, videos and event information everyday of the week.

You May Also Like

Kenya

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir and Evans Chebet made it a double Kenyan celebration after scooping the elite titles at the 126th Boston Marathon on...

Kenya

The Women-only world half marathon record of 1:05:16 set by Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir in Gdynia, Poland on 17 October 2020 has been ratified.

Kenya

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei broke four world records at the 2017 Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon when winning the IAAF Gold Label Road Race in 1:04:52...

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Mosinet Geremew and Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir powered to impressive victories, beating hot and humid conditions, at the ninth TCS World 10K in Bengaluru...

Click to access the login or register cheese