Kenya Smashes World Record, Scoops 6 Top 10 Positions in Istanbul Half Marathon

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May 11, 2013
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Half Marathon Word record holder Ruth Chepngetich at the finish line of a past race.

Half Marathon Word record holder Ruth Chepngetich at the finish line of a past race.
FILE

Kenya asserted its dominance in world athletics during the Istanbul Half Marathon on Sunday, April 4, where Ruth Chepngetich smashed the world record.

Chepngetich broke the record held by Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh by almost 30 seconds to finish at 1:04:02.

Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw finished second as Hellen Obiri, Joan Chelimo Melly, and Brigid Kosgei finished in positions 3,4, and 5 respectively.

Half Marathon Word record holder Ruth Chepngetich at the finish line on the Instanbul Half Marathon

Half Marathon Word record holder Ruth Chepngetich at the finish line on the Instanbul Half Marathon
FILE
This was the first time three women have finished inside 65 minutes in the same half marathon.

The record-breaking run marks Chepngetich’s third win and passed her previous best performance by a minute and a half.

The winning streak was also replicated by the men's team which managed an outstanding podium finish.


Kibiwott Kandie, Geoffrey Kamworor and Roncer Kipkorir led the men's team respectively.

Leonard Barsoton, Bernard Kipkiorir, and Vestus Chemjor also helped Kenya scoop 6 positions in the top 10.

Sports pundits had already predicted a remarkable performance by Kenya, with the Athletics Weekly publication writing “World records in danger at Istanbul Half-Marathon”.

Brigid Kosgei is a world marathon record holder while Hellen Obiri is a world cross-country and 5000m champion.

Kenya’s men’s team was also formidable, pitting the world record holder against the person he snatched it from.


Kandie broke Kamworor's world best record in Valencia, Spain in December 2020.

Kamworor’s effort was also impressive since he was beaten by only 4 seconds, considering it was his first international race since being involved in a motorcycle accident while training in Eldoret just a few months before.

Istanbul 2021 Half Marathon results

Istanbul 2021 Half Marathon results
FILE
 
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