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Kibiwott Kandie smashed the world half marathon record at Valencia, Spain, this morning (Saturday 6 Dec) his incredible 57 min 32 sec winning time a yawning 32 second improvement on his compatriot, Geoffrey Kamworwor’s previous world best, set last year in Copenhagen.
Running in perfect conditions on a fast city-centre course, Kandie took the title, a pile of records and a cheque for 105 000 Euros after triumphing in the most competitive half marathon ever seen on the planet.
No fewer than four athletes – one Uganda and three Kenyans – bettered the 58 minute mark and world record in an unprecedented display of super-fast distance running. Spare a thought for Kenyan Alexander Mutiso, who finished 3 seconds inside Kamworwor’s previous world record and could not even make the podium.
World champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda trailed by just five seconds to take the silver medal with world 10km record holder, Rhonex Kipruto, third in 57:49 in his debut over the distance.
And underlining Valencia’s status as a leading city for distance running, Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, raced to an impressive 1:05:18 victory, improving the course record in her debut half marathon. The current 1500m world champion and record holder, Dibaba raced clear of all opposition, save her male pacer, to cross the line in the 12th fastest time ever recorded over the distance.
Kandie finished second to Kiplimo at this year’s World Half Marathon Championships in Poland in October, but he turned the tables in no uncertain fashion in Valencia to complete a stellar year following his victory in Prague in September in 58:38.
After Kiplimo led six runnes through 10km in a pacey 27:25, Kandie moved up to take the lead for the first time through 15km, reached in 41:10, surging away from his rivals to open a gap which Kiplimo closed with just 2 km to run.
Kiplimo led by a whisker at 20km in 54:42, but when Kandie gave a final surge on the cobbled finishing straight the race was over as the 24 year old raced to glory. “This was a very great achievement, for me and for Kenya,” Kandie remarked.
Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui finished 21 seconds behind Dibaba in second with last year’s champion, Ethiopian Sendere Teferi third.
Results
Men: 1 Kibiwott Kandie (Ken) 57:32 (world record) ; 2 Jacob Kiplimo (Uga)57:37; 3 Rhonex Kipruto (Ken) 57:49; 4 Alexander Mutiso (Ken) 57:59; 5 Philemon Kiplimo (Ken) 58:11
Women: 1 Genzebe Dibaba (Eth) 1:05:18 (race record); 2 Sheila Chepkirui (Ken) 1:05:39; 3 Senbere Teferi (Eth) 1:05:51; 4 Dorcas Tuitoek (Ken) 1:07:18; 5 Emily Sisson (USA) 1:07:26
Story by Stephen Granger
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