Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – Kenyan runner Joyce Chepkirui clocked a world-class time of 66 minutes and 19 seconds to win the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon on Saturday.
Dominating the race from the start, she set a course record and also the fifth fastest time ever run on a record eligible course.
Compatriot Emily Chebet was second in 68:28 and Ethiopia’s Wude Ayalew third with 69:23.
African runners also dominated the men’s race, with Kenya’s Peter Kirui winning with a personal best of 59:22, the sixth fastest in this year.
Mosinet Geremew of Ethiopia was second with 59:54 and Kenya’s Daniel Wanjiru followed in 59:59. All three men set personal bests.
With regard to the two winning times, the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon produced the best race of the year so far.
Some 12,500 runners entered the event, which is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, according to the organisers.
Full Results
Men:
1 Peter Kirui KEN 59:22
2 Mosinet Geremew ETH 59:54
3 Daniel Wanjiru KEN 59:59
4 Nicholas Kipkemboi KEN 60:11
5 Henry Kiplagat KEN 60:24
6 Bernard Bett KEN 60:47
7 Evans Kiplagat Barkowet KEN 60:55
8 Nicholas Bor KEN 61:25
9 Million Feysa ETH 61:26
10 Hunegnaw Mesfin ETH 71:50
Women:
1 Joyce Chepkirui KEN 66:19
2. Emily Chebet KEN 68:26
3. Wude Ayalew ETH 69:23
4. Esther Chemtai KEN 69:49
5. Afera Godfay ETH 69:52
6 Waganesh Mekasha ETH 70:23
7 Betelhem Moges ETH 70:37
8 Bouchra Ghezielle FRA 71:04
9 Firehiwot Dado ETH 71:15
10 Natalya Popkova RUS 73:58
