Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich set a new Half Marathon world record in Istanbul, Turkey.
The current world marathon champion displayed a fine performance in the Istanbul Half Marathon 2021 as she broke the record.
The 26-year-old road racing athlete clocked 1:04:02, 29 seconds faster in her first competitive race of the year.
Ethiopian long-distance runner Ababel Yeshaneh set the now-beaten record in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE on February 2020 at 1:04:31. The new record has been smashed by 29 seconds.
It was Chepngetich third win in the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race. Her other previous victories in the women’s race include back in 2017 and 2019.
Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich sets a new Half Marathon world record in Istanbul. PHOTO: Nation
“I am really happy with this amazing result,” said a delighted Chepngetich. “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.”
In 2017, she won in 1:06:19 which was one of her first big milestone runs. She returned to the race two years later to win at 1:05:30.
Chepngetich was part of an eight-woman pack that includes Hellen Obiri, and Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw. It also included marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and fellow Kenyan Joan Chelimo Melly.
Two-time 5000m world champion Obiri only came third in 64:51, behind 21-year-old Yehualaw who crossed the finish line in 64:40, only eleven seconds clear.
In the men’s race, world record holder Kibiwott Kandie won in a course record of 59:35 to make it a double for Kenya.
He overcame his countrymate Geoffrey Kamworor who came in second, and only four seconds shy of first place.
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