Ethiopia’s Gidey sets new women’s record in 15km in Netherlands

Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey smashed the women’s world best for 15km at the Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run) in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on Sunday.

Gidey, this year’s World Championships 10,000m silver medallist, clocked 44:21, more than a minute better than the previous world best of 45:37 Joyciline Jepkosgei set in Prague two years ago en route to her first world record in the half marathon.

Covering the first five kilometres in a quick 15:09, the 21-year-old upped the pace over the next five kilometres, closing that stretch with a stunning 2:44 10th kilometre, to reach the 10km point in a remarkable 29:44. She slowed over the next two kilometres but shifted gears again in the waning stages, closing with kilometre splits of 2:49, 2:52 and 2:50. She covered the last 10km in a stunning 29:12, the fastest 10-kilometre stretch ever produced under any conditions.

“I felt I was in good form in preparation for the (race) and my legs felt good all through the race,” said Gidey, who rose to prominence in the Under-20 ranks after taking back-to-back world Under-20 cross country titles in 2015 and 2017.

“I was quite surprised to see how much time I was able to get off the previous world (best) to be honest but I had great legs and it was a really nice race.”

Stephen Kissa of Uganda won the men’s race in 41:49 to become the seventh fastest ever over the distance.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo