BEVERLY HILLS, April 05, (THEWILL) – Continuing in her country’s established traditions of excellence in long distance competitions, the Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich claimed the world half marathon record for herself by shaving 29 seconds off the previous mark on Sunday to breast the tape in a time of 1:04:02 hours at the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon.
Chepngetich sprinted away from Yalemzerf Yehualaw across the final stages of the race to win, 38 seconds ahead of the Ethiopian. The 26-year-old, with previous half marathon victories in 2017 and 2019, said: “Istanbul is my city, I love running here.”
That is not in question because Chepngetich also won the Istanbul Marathon in 2017 and 2018. She added: “The world record is something I have been dreaming about for some time and I am so happy to do it on the streets of Istanbul. I’m really happy for this amazing result.”
But she was not the only Kenyan in the honours podium because Hellen Obiri finished third in 1:04:51, to mark the fastest debut half marathon in history. This makes the first time three women will finish a half marathon inside 65 minutes flat.
Kenya’s superiority in the marathons was reflected in the men’s race that Kibiwott Kandie won in a time of 59:35, after he set the world record in Valencia last year.
Kandie raced into the lead with about 12 minutes remaining and held off the challenge of compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor to claim victory by three seconds, with Roncer Kipkorir taking third place, for a Kenyan one, two, three victory.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
