Kenya’s Kibiwott claims Valencia Half Marathon.

• Kibiwott Kandie claimed the Valencia Half Marathon after clocking 58:11
• Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen won the women’s race after she clocked 65:41.
• Kennedy Kimutai and Sebastian Sawe settled for the 5th and 6th positions with a time record of 59:05 and 59:23, respectively.

Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie claimed the Valencia Half Marathon after clocking 58:11 on Sunday, 23 October, in Spain’s capital Valencia.

Kibiwott Kandie claimed the Valencia Half Marathon after clocking 58:11. Photo/ Times of India

Yomif Kajelcha of Ethiopia finished in the second position with a rime record of 58:32 ahead of Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko, who finished third by clocking 58:40.

Kibiwot ran all along with his compatriots and other Ethiopian runners during the first half of the race before taking control up to the last lap. At some point, he lost his way but was later shown the way by the Valencia half-Marathon officials.

Speaking after the race, Kandie said he had been preparing for the race for the last two months and that the efforts have paid off.

“Ave have been preparing hard enough for this marathon for the last two months. Fortunately, the effort has paid off today. Despite the humidity, It felt great throughout the race, and I decided to increase the pace after midway and am satisfied with my performance today.” Said Kandie.

Kandie’s win this year recovers from last year’s loss but failed to reclaim his personal best of 57:32 that he ran in 2020.

Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai and Sebastian Sawe settled for the 5th and 6th positions with a time record of 59:05 and 59:23, respectively.

Ronald Kiprotich, with a time record of 1:00:11, Isaac Kipkemboi with 1:00:12, Edward Kimutai with 1:00:14, and Weldon Kirui with 1:00:28 managed seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth positions, respectively.

Full Lust~Men’s Race 

1. Kandie Kibiwott (Kenya). 0:58:11

2. Yomif Kajelcha. (Ethiopia). 0:58:32

3. Daniel Mateiko (Kenya). 0:58:40

4. Tadese Worku(Ethiopia). 0:58:47

5. Kennedy Kimutai(Kenya). 0:59:04

6. Sebastian Sawe (Kenya) 0:59:23

7. Ronald Kirui (Kenya). 1:00:10

8. Isaac Kipkemboi(Kenya). 1:00:11

9. Edward Kimutai(Kenya). 1:00:13

10. Weldon Langat (Kenya). 1:00:28

Women’s Race

Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen won the women’s race after she clocked 65:41 ahead of Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama and Hawi Feysa Gejia.

Konstanze Klosterhalfen crosses the finish line to win this years Valencia Half Marathon. Photo/ World Athletics

Gebreselama settled in the second position after clocking at 1:05:46, while Gejia finished in the third position with a time record of 1:06:00.

Klosterhalfen, who competes and specializes in the 5000 m, was making her debut at the Valencia Half marathon saying she was also surprised and that shell be looking forward to improve her time in the next race.

“I’m surprised and delighted I managed today, and definitely and moving forward, ill try to improve on my personal best and hopefully break the German record,” said Klosterhalfen

Kenya’s Margaret Chelimo finished fourth in 1:06:50 with Irene Kimais (1:07:12), Purity Komen (1:07:29), Vicoty Chepngeno (1:07:55), and Dorcas Kimeli (1:08:17) managing the sixth, seventh, ninth and 10th, respectively.

Agnes Ngolo, the 2019 World Athletics Championship, finished in the fourth position with a time record of 1:06.38, with her compatriot Margaret Chelimo settling for the 5th position after clocking 1:96.50.

Women
1 Konstanze Klosterhalfen (GER)  1:05:41
2 Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH)           1:05:45
3 Hawi Feysa (ETH)                          1:06:00
4 Agnes Ngolo (KEN)                        1:06:38
5 Margaret Chelimo (KEN)              1:06:50
6 Magdalena Sahuri (KEN)              1:07:07
7 Irine Kimais (KEN)                         1:07:10
8 Purity Komen (KEN)                      1:07:27
9 Yasemin Can (TUR)                        1:07:45
10 Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN)            1:07:54