Monday, April 30, 2012

World Leading marathoner Ayele Abshero won the Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon in 1:01:11


The fastest marathon runner this season and the 6th fastest all time, Boston included, Ayele Abshero, 21, of Ethiopia (2:04:23 Dubai Jan 2012, debut )  won the 7th Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon [扬州鉴真国际半程马拉松赛] (an IAAF Silver Label Road Race) in China last Sunday 29 April in a time of 1:01:11 which was just 1 second shy of the course record set by his countryman Deriba Merga last year.
He has a personal best of 59:42 at the CPC Loop Den Haag, Holland last year.

25-year old Fyles Ongori  of Kenya won the women's title in 1:11:07.

There were 35,000 runners including 577 foreigners from 41 countries taking part in the 21km, 10km and 4.6km categories. Among the foreign runners were 29 invited elite international runners including 6 with PB's of sub 60 min.


Results of top finishers:
Men (CR 1:01:10 Deriba Merga (ETH) 2011)
1) 1:01:11 - Ayele Abshero (ETH)
2) 1:01:47 - Silas Kipruto (KEN)
3) 1:01:57 - El Hassan Elabbassi (MAR)

Women (CR 1:08:59 Zhou Chunxiu (CHN) 2008)
1) 1:11:07 - Fyles Ongori (KEN)
2) 1:11:08 - Feysa Tadesse (ETH)
3) 1:11:11 - Alice Mogire (KEN)


Half Marathon (21.0975km)
World Record 
Men ------- 58:23 - Zersenay Tadese (ERI)  Lisbon 2010
Women - 1:05:50 - Mary Keitany (KEN) RAK 2011 
World Leading
Men --------58:47 - Atsedu Tsegay (ETH)  Prague Mar
Women - 1:06:38 - Florence Kiplagat (KEN) Ostia Feb






Sunday, April 29, 2012

2:08:27 and 2:25:49 - Tola of Ethiopia and Jeruto of Kenya set new course records at Düsseldorf Marathon this morning


Apart from the Hamburg Marathon where new course records were established today, a similar scenario was achieved simultaneously at another German city at the 10th Metro Group Düsseldorf Marathon where Seboka Diriba Tola of Ethiopia and Agnes Jeruto of Kenya also won in new course record times.

Tola finished in  2:08:27 beating the old record of 2:08:32 set by Iaroslav Musinschi (MDA) in 2010 and Jeruto  did so in her debut in 2:25:49 breaking the old course record of 2:26:44 set by Luminita Zaituc (GER) in 2004

Said Jeruto after the race :  "It was a great debut for me. I had no problems during the race and the pacemakers guided me well. It was only on the final four kilometres that I slowed a bit," 

This event attracted a total of 14,000 entries including 4,000 in the 42.195km marathon and finished in fine weather conditions with the best quality in their 10-year history with 7 men and 5 women clocking sub 2:11 and sub 2:30 respectively.


Results of top finishers:
Men
1) 2:08:27 (CR) - Seboka Diriba Tola (ETH) 
2) 2:08:33 -  Duncan Koech (KEN)
3) 2:08:35 - Abraham Kiprotich (FRA)
 ....
8) 2:12:58 - Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) 


Women
1) 2:25:49  (CR) - Agnes Jeruto (KEN)(Debut)
2) 2:27:24 - Nastassia Staravoitava  (Belarus)
3) 2:27:50 -  Melkam Gisaw (ETH)


2:05:58 and 2:23:47 - Ethiopian Shami Dawit and Kenyan Rael Kiyara broke the Hamburg Marathon course records this morning


As  anticipated, new course records were created in both the men's and women's categories of the 27th Haspa Marathon Hamburg  held his morning 29 April.

Shami Dawit of Ethiopia won the men's title in 2:05:58 shattering the old record of of 2:06:52 set by Julio Rey of Spain in 2006, but failed to improve his personal best of 2:05:42 when he was placed 7th at the highly competitive Dubai Marathon last Jan, 1 second behind compatriot Dadi Yami who incidentally finished 2nd behind him today at  Hamburg in 2:07:01.
Rael Kiyara of Kenya became the women's champion also in a new course record of 2:23:47, breaking the old record of 2:24:14 set by Irina Timofeyeva of Russia in 2008.

Results of top finishers:
Men
1) 2:05:58 (CR) - Shami Dawit (ETH)
2) 2:07:01 - Dadi Yami (ETH)
3) 2:07:23 - Augustine Ronoh (KEN)

Women
1) 2:23:47 (CR) - Rael Kiyara (KEN)
2) 2:24:12 - Netsanet Abeyo (ETH)
3) 2:25:49 - Etalemehu Kidane (ETH)





Friday, April 27, 2012

2 Spring marathons on course in German cities of Hamburg and Düsseldorf coming Sunday


Coming Sunday 29 April will see the starts of 2 marathon races in Germany viz. the 27th Haspa Marathon Hamburg and the Metro Group Düsseldorf Marathon with course records under threats.


Top contenders with their PB's :

Hamburg Marathon 

Men (CR 2:06:52 Julio Rey (ESP) 2006 )
Dadi Yami (ETH) - 2:05:41 Dubai 2012
Shami Dawit (ETH) - 2:05:42 Dubai 2012
Evans Cheruiyot (KEN) - 2:06:25
Paul Biwott (KEN) - 2.06.54
Chele Dechase(ETH) - 2:06:33

Women (CR 2:24:14 Irina Timofeyeva (RUS) 2008)
Robe Guta(ETH) - 2:24:35 Hamburg 2006
Rael Kiyara (KEN) -  2:25:23
Netsanet Abeyo(ETH) - 2:26:12



Düsseldorf Marathon


Men : (CR 2:08:32 Iaroslav Musinschi (MDA) 2010)
Seboka Diriba Tola (ETH) - 2:06:17 Dubai 2012
Joseph Ngeny (KEN) - 2:08:10
Evans Ruto(KEN) - 2:08:36
Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) - 2:08:37
Abraham Chelanga (KEN) - 2:08:43

Women: : (CR 2:26:44 Luminita Zaituc (GER) 2004)
Kebebush Haile (ETH) - 2:24:09 Shanghai 2011
Melanie Kraus (GER) - 2:27:58
Fantu Eticha Jimma (ETH) - 2:30:25






Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Patrick Makau and Geoffrey Mutai omitted from Kenyan Olympic marathon squad


Athletics Kenya has announced their Olympic marathon squad with the omission of world record holder Patick Makau and Geoffrey Mutai who ran the fastest marathon ever in Boston last year.

The winners of the last Sunday at London Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany will lead the Kenyan marathon team to the upcoming summer Olympics also at London to compete the women's and men's events on 5 and 12 August respectively.

Wilson Kipsang ran his personal best of 2:03:42 in Frankfurt last year which made him the 2nd fastest marathon runner all time in the eyes of IAAF and the 4th fastest marathon runner in history (Boston included) while Mary Keitany became the 3rd fastest female marathon runner all time when she won the London race in 2:18:37, her 2nd time in a row.

Moses Mosop (world record holder in 25,000m and 30,000m), who finished 2nd behind Geoffrey Mutai in his debut in 2011 Boston in an astonishing time of 2:03:06 and subsequently won in Chicago in new course record  later, together with 2-time world champion Abel Kirui made up the men's team.

The other 2 slots in the women category went to World champion Edna Kiplagat and world silver medalist Priscah Jeptoo who finished behind Keitany in London last Sunday in PB times of 2:19:50 and 2:20:14 respectively.


The Kenyan Olympic marathon team: (with PB's)
Men:
Wilson Kipsang -  (2:03:42 Frankfurt 2011)
Moses Mosop -     (2:03:06 Boston 2011)
Abel Kirui ------   (2:05:04 Rotterdam 2009)
Women:
Mary Keitany --  (2:18:37 London 2012)
Edna Kiplagat -   (2:19:50 London 2012) 
Priscah Jeptoo - (2:20:14) London 2012)


The Olympic records:
Men ----- 2:06:32 - late Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) Beijing 2008
Women - 2:23:14 - Naoko Takahashi (JPN) Sydney 2000






Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The BII Maybank Bali Marathon brought back international marathon running in Indonesia after 22 years


After a lapse of 22 years, an international marathon event was back in Indonesia with the flagging-off of the  BII Maybank Bali Marathon at the popular tourist destination of Bali  last Sunday 22 April.

This inaugural event provided scenic routes in 42km, 21km and 10km which attracted more than 2000 participants with about 50% foreigners from 30 countries including Kenya whose runners, as expected,  dominated the podium standings across all categories.

Results of top finishers:
Men 42km
1) 2:16:54 - Lilan Kennedy Kiproo (KEN) (won USD20,000)
2) 2:17:00 - Luke Kipkemoi Chelim (KEN) (won USD15,000)
3) 2:18:23 - Wilson Chepkwony (KEN) (won USD10,000)
Women 42km
1) 2:42:48 - Winfridah Kwamboka (KEN) (won USD20,000)
2) 2:43:35 - Elizabeth Jeruiyoy (KEN) (won USD15,000)
3) 3:07:13 - Kari Elliot (CAN) (won USD10,000)


Men 21km
1) 1:05:49 - Luke Kibet (KEN) (won USD10,000)
2) 1:05:52 - Polycarp Mogusu  (KEN) (won USD5,000)
3) 1:08:34 - Josphat Kiptanui Chobei (KEN) (won USD2,500)
Women 21km
1) 1:14:59 - Eunice Nyawira Muchiri (KEN) (won USD10,000)
2) 1:15:03 - Elizabeth Chepkanan  Rumoko (KEN) (won USD5,000)
3) 1:16:22 - Esther Wamboi Karimo (KEN) (won USD2,500)

[BII -  PT Bank International Indonesia]
[Maybank - Malayan Banking Berhad, Malaysia]















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Sunday, April 22, 2012

2:04:44 and 2:18:37 - Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany made Double Kenyan victories in London Marathon


World's 4th fastest marathon runner (Boston included) (2:03:42 Frankfurt 2011) Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and compatriot defending champion Mary Keitany won the 2012 Virgin London Marathon titles today.

Kipsang, on  his London debut,  clocked 2:04:44 which was only 4 seconds slower than the course record set by countryman Emmanuel Mutai last year whilst Keitany successfully defended her title in a remarkable time of 2:18:37 breaking the national record by a minute as well as the 11-year old African record of 2:18:47 hold by compatriot Catherine Ndereba and making her the 3rd fastest female marathon runner all time behind Paula Radcliffe (GBR) (2:15:25) and Liliya Shobukhova (RUS) (2:18:20)

 Those impressive times should assure both a ticket each to the London Olympics in 16 weeks time although final decision has not been officially announced by Athletics-Kenya yet.

Kenya also dominated the women's race by winning all the top 5 podium spots.

3-time London champions Martin Lel also from Kenya finished 2nd in  2:06:51 beating Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia to 3rd place by a mere second.

Among the top Kenyan contenders in an impressive field of elite starters, defending champion Emmanuel Mutai finished a disappointing 7th in 2:08:01, his worst performance in London appearance, double world champion Abel Kirui finished 6th in 2:07:56 and world record holder Patrick Makau had a bad day too when he dropped out after 16km due to a hamstring injury.

Results of top finishers:
Men
1) 2:04:44 - Wilson Kipsang (KEN)
2) 2:06:51 - Martin Lel (KEN)
3) 2:06:52 - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 
4) 2:07:43 (PB) - Edil Ennani (MAR)
5) 2:07:44 - Jaouad Gharib (MAR)
6) 2:07:56 - Abel Kirui (KEN)
7) 2:08:01 - Emmanuel Mutai (KEN)
8) 2:08:03 - Marilson Gomes Dos Santos (BRA)


Women
1) 2:18:37 (PB) (NR) (AR) (WL) - Mary Keitany (KEN)
2)  2:19:50 (PB) - Edna Kiplagat (KEN)
3) 2:20:14 (PB) -   Priscah Jeptoo (KEN)
4) 2:20:57 - Florence Kiplagat (KEN)
5) 2:20:57 - Lucy Kabuu (KEN)

Some statistics about Virgin London Marathon:
An IAAF Gold Label Road Race
Course records:
Men : 2:04:40 - Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) 2011   
Women : 2:15:25 (WR) - Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2003
Entries : appr. 50,000
Prize Money : USD55,000
Total prize money (without time bonuses) : USD295,000
 

Monday, April 16, 2012

Round up of the performances of marathon races in the last 2 days


Summary of Results of the top finishers of 5 major marathon races at the start of Spring marathon season :

32nd ABN AMRO Rotterdam Marathon on 15 April
Men:
1) 2:04:48 (PB) - Yemane Adhane (ETH)
2) 2:04:50 (PB) - Getu Feleke (ETH)
3) 2:05:03 - Moses Mosop (KEN)
Women :
1) 2:18:58 (PB)(CR) (WL) - Tiki Gelana (ETH)
2) 2:23:44 (NR) (PB) - Valeria Straneo (ITA)
3)2:25:48 - Merima Hasen (ETH)

-------------------------------------------------------

Men
1) 2:05:11 (CR) - Stanley Biwott (KEN)
2) 2:06:23 - Raji
Assefa (ETH)
3) 2:06:26 (debut) - Sisay Jisa (ETH)

Women
1) 2:21:39 (CR) - Tirfi Beyene (ETH)
2) 2:25:07 (NR) - Sultan Haydar (TUR)
3) 2:26:46 - Makda Harun (ETH)

------------------------------------------------------

Men
1) 2:06:58 (CR) - Henry Sugut (KEN)
2) 2:07:38 - Gilbert Yegon (KEN)
3) 2:07:44 - John Kiprotich (KEN)
Women
1) 2:26:39 - Fate Tola (ETH)
2) 2:27:18 - Olga Glok (RUS)
3) 2:27:20 - Helalia Johannes (Namibia)

-----------------------------------------------------

Men
1) 2:08:39 - Daniel Kiprugut (KEN)
2) 2:08:43 - Nickson Kurgat (KEN)
3) 2:08:48 - Work Biru Gemechu (ETH)
Women
1) 2:31:07 - Irene Kosgei Jerotich (KEN)
2) 2:31:15 - Emma Quaglia (ITA)
3) 2:38:09 - Nediat Habtemriam (ERI)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 116th Boston Marathon on 16 April
Men
1) Wesley Korir (KEN) - 2:12:40
2) Levy Matebo (KEN) - 2:13:06
3) Bernard Kipyego (KEN) - 2:13:13

Women:
1. Sharon Cherop (KEN) - 2:31:50.
2. Jemima Sumgong (KEN) - 2:31:52
3. Georgina Rono (KEN) - 2:33:09

+++++++++++



Statistics of marathon 42.195km as of Boston 16 April and before London 22 April
World Fastest Ever - 2:03:02 Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) Boston 2011 (@2:55/km)
World Record (Men) - 2:03:38 Patrick Makau (KEN) Berlin 2011 (@2:56/km)
World Record (Women) - 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2003 (@3:13/km)
World Leading (Men) - 2:04:23 - Ayele Abshero (ETH) Dubai Jan 27 (@2:57/km)
World Leading (Women) - 2:18:58 - Tiki Gelana (ETH) Rotterdam 15 Apr (@3:18/km)

The Kenyan men and women finished 1-2-3 in Boston Marathon today

Sharon Cherop
Wesley Korir



The Kenyans made a 1-2-3 finish each in the men and women categories of the Boston Marathon today in abnormally high temperatures of high 80's.

Results of top finishers
Men
1) Wesley Korir - 2:12:40
2) Levy Matebo - 2:13:06
3) Bernard Kipyego - 2:13:13

Women:
1. Sharon Cherop - 2:31:50.
2. Jemima Sumgong - 2:31:52
3. Georgina Rono - 2:33:09

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Ethiopians won the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon with Adhane took the men's title and Tiki Gelana won in women's race in WL and new CR

Tiki Gelana


Adhane


Yemane Adhane of Ethiopia won the 32nd ABN AMRO Rotterdam Marathon this morning in 2:04:48 which was shy of the old course record of 2:04:27 set in 2009 by a thin 22-second margin and making him the 10th fastest marathoner in history.
Favourite Moses Mosop of Kenya, the 2nd fastest marathon runner (2:03:06 Boston 2011) in history under no conditions finished 3rd in 2:05:03

Compatriot Tiki Gelana won the women's title in 2:18:58 beating the 14-year old course record of 2:21:47 set by Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, producing the world's fastest time of the year so far and becoming the 4th fastest woman marathon runner all time behind Paula Radcliffe (GBR) (2:15:25), Liliya Shobukhova (RUS) (2:18:20) and Catherine N'dereba (KEN) (2:18:47)
 

Results:
Men:

1) 2:04:48 (PB) - Yemane Adhane (ETH)
2) 2:04:50 (PB) - Getu Feleke (ETH)
3) 2:05:03 - Moses Mosop (KEN)

Women :
1) 2:18:58 (PB)(CR) (WL) - Tiki Gelana (ETH)
2) 2:23:44 (NR) (PB) - Valeria Straneo (ITA)

3)2:25:48 - Merima Hasen (ETH)







2:05:11 and 2:21:39 - Stanley Biwott and Tirfi Beyene won the Paris Marathon in new Course Records

L-R: Assefa, Biwott, Jisa


Stanley Biwott, 26, of Kenya won the 2012 Paris Marathon this morning in 2:05:11 (PB) beating the old course record of 2:05:47 set by compatriot Vincent Kipruto in 2009.
He was also the winner of the Paris Half Marathon last month.

Tirfi Beyene, 28, of Ethiopia followed suit by winning the women's title in a new course record of 2:21:39 improving the old record of 2:22:04 set by Atsede Bayisa also of Ethiopia in 2010

Results
Men
1) 2:05:11 (CR) - Stanley Biwott (KEN)
2) 2:06:23 - Raji
Assefa (ETH)
3) 2:06:26 (debut) - Sisay Jisa (ETH)

Women
1) 2:21:39 (CR) - Tirfi Beyene (ETH)
2) 2:25:07 (NR) - Sultan Haydar (TUR)
3) 2:26:46 - Makda Harun (ETH)

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Geoffrey Mutai to defend at Boston where he ran the fastest ever marathon




Geoffrey Mutai (KEN), 31, who created headlines worldwide when he won the 2011 Boston Marathon in a sensational time of 2:03:02 making it "the fastest marathon ever run" is back to defend his title.
[However the said time cannot be ratified by IAAF as a world record due to the elevation drop and point to point measurements of the Boston course]

The 116th Boston Marathon will be flagged off coming Monday 16 April as the first stop of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) series

CR 2:03:02 Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) 2011 - Fastest marathon ever run
CR 2:20:43 Margaret Okayo (KEN) 2002
Defending champions
Men : Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) 2:03:02
Women: Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:22:36


Statistics of Marathon 42.195km
World Fastest Ever - 2:03:02 Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) Boston 2011
World Record (Men) - 2:03:38 Patrick Makau (KEN) Berlin 2011
World Record (Women) - 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2003
World Leading (Men) - 2:04:23 - Ayele Abshero (ETH) Dubai Jan 27
World Leading (Women) - 2:19:31 - Aselefech Mergia (ETH) Dubai Jan 27

Top contenders with their PB's:
Men
Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) - 2:03:02 Boston 2011
Gebre Gebremariam (ETH) - 2:04:53 Boston 2011
Levy Matebo (KEN) - 2:05:16 Frankfurt 2011
Wilson Chebet (KEN) - 2:05:27 Rotterdam 2011
Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (KEN) - 2:05:52 Boston 2010
Women
Aselefech Mergia (ETH) - 2:19:31 (WL) (NR) Dubai 2012
Galina Bogomolova (RUS) - 2:20:47
Mamitu Daska (ETH) - 2:21:59
Caroline Kilel (KEN) - 2:22:36
Sharon Cherop (KEN) - 2:22:42






Thursday, April 12, 2012

Coming Sunday : Openings of Spring Marathons at Rotterdam, Paris and Vienna







Coming Sunday 15 April will see the start of Spring marathon events with flagging-offs at Rotterdam, Paris and Vienna.

A glance at the roundup of the upcoming races:

Statistics of Marathon 42.195km
World Fastest Ever - 2:03:02 Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) Boston 2011
World Record (Men) - 2:03:38 Patrick Makau (KEN) Berlin 2011
World Record (Women) - 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2003
World Leading (Men) - 2:04:23 - Ayele Abshero (ETH) Dubai Jan 27
World Leading (Women) - 2:19:31 - Aselefech Mergia (ETH) Dubai Jan 27



The 32nd ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam
An IAAF Silver Label Road Race
CR 2:04:27 - Duncan Kibet (KEN) 2009, James Kwambai (KEN) 2009
CR 2:21:47 Tegla Loroupe (KEN) 1998
Entries : appr. 12,000
Total prize money : appr. USD1million

Defending champions:
Men: Wilson Chebet (KEN) 2:05:26
Women: Philes Ongori (KEN) 2:24:19

Top contenders with their PB's
Men
Moses Mosop (KEN) - 2:03:06 Boston 2011 (2nd fastest ever)
Getu Feleke (ETH) - 2:05:44 Amsterdam 2010
Peter Kirui (KEN) - 2:06:31 Frankfurt 2011 (pacemaker)
Yemane Adhane (ETH) - 2:06:29 Paris 2009
Rashid Kisri (MAR) - 2:06:48 Paris 2009
Sammy Kitwara (KEN) - Debut
Women
Tiki Gelana (ETH) - 2:22:08
Merima Hasen (ETH) - 2:23:06
Valeria Straneo (ITA) - 2:26:33


The 36th Marathon de Paris 2012
An IAAF Gold Label Road Race
CR 2:05:47 - Vincent Kipruto (KEN) 2009
CR 2:22:04 - Atsede Baysa (ETH) 2010
Entries : 40,000

Defending champions:
Men :
Benjamin Kiptoo (KEN) 2:06:29
Women: Priscah Jeptoo (KEN) 2:22:51

Top contenders with their PB's:
Men
Bib No.
1 ---
Benjamin Kiptoo (KEN) - 2:06:31 Paris 2011 (defending champion)
2 --- Albert Matebor (KEN) - 2:05:26 Frankfurt 2011
3 ---
Eric Ndiema (KEN) - 2:06:07
4 ---
Richard Limo (KEN) - 2:06:45
5 --- Eshetu Wendemu (ETH) - 2:06:46
Women
201 -
Tirfi Beyene (ETH) - 2:22:44
203 -
Shitaye Bedaso (ETH) - 2:25:09
204 -
Julia Mumbi (KEN) - 2:26:00


29th Vienna City Marathon
An IAAF Gold Label Road Race
CR 2:07:38 - Abel Kirui (KEN) 2008
CR 2:23:47 Maura Viceconte (ITA) 2000)
Entries : appr. 8,500

Defending champions:
Men:
John Kiprotich (KEN) 2:08:29
Women:
Fate Tola (ETH) 2:26:21

Top contenders with their PB's
Men
Gilbert Kirwa (KEN) - 2:06:14 Frankfurt 2009
Gilbert Yegon (KEN) - 2:06:18 Amsterdam 2009
John Kiprotich (KEN) - 2:07:08 (Defending champion)
Patrick Ivuti (KEN) - 2:07:46
Women
Fate Tola (ETH) - 2:26:21 (Defending champion)
Luminita Talpos (ROM) - 2:26:43
Olga Glok (RUS) - 2:28:27


Coming up next:
16 April - Boston Marathon - 1st stop of the World Marathon Majors series
22 April - Virgin London Marathon - 2nd stop of World Marathon Majors series





































Sunday, April 1, 2012

58:47 - Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia broke the Prague Half Marathon course record and set new World Leading time


L-> R : Kiplagat, Tsegay, Limo
Atsedu Tsegay
Joyce Chepkirui

20-year old Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia won the 14th Hervis Prague Half Marathon, (an IAAF Gold Label Road Race), Czech Republic yesterday, 31 March, in a new course record of 58:47 which is also the fastest time in the world this year beating the previous WL of 59:22 set by compatriot Feyisa Lilesa at Houston, USA on Jan 15 and missed the world record of 58:23 by 25 seconds.

Joyce Chepkirui of Kenya won the women's race in 1:07:03 which is also a new course record.

The event was held under very windy conditions.

Results of top finishers: Half Marathon 21.0975km
Men (WR 58:23 Zersenay Tadese (ERI) Lisbon 2010)

1) 58:47 (CR) (WL) - Atsedu Tsegay (ETH)
2) 1:00:01 - Henry Kiplagat (KEN)
3) 1:00:03 - Philemon Limo (KEN) (Defending champion)

Women
(WR 1:05:50 Mary Keitany (KEN) RAK 2011)
(WL 1:06:38 Florence Kiplagat (KEN) Ostia 26 Feb)

1) 1:07:03 (CR) - Joyce Chepkirui (KEN)
2) 1:07:26 - Lydia Cheromei (KEN)
3) 1:08:18 - Gladys Cherono (KEN)

Ref. IAAF