HARMONIE MUTUELLE SEMI DE PARIS: BONIFACE KIBIWOTT AND NIGSTI HAFTU WIN THE 30TH EDITION

The first runners started the 30th edition of the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris from the Pont de Sully (Île Saint Louis) at 8 o'clock this morning. The first major event of the 2022 running season brought athletes together for a shared experience and a 21.1 km challenge. Kenyan Boniface Kibiwott claimed the men's race, while Ethiopian Nigsti Haftu emerged victorious from the women's one.

The 30thHarmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris kicked off the 2022 running season.

Boniface Kibiwott (KEN) took the men's race in 1:00:52.

Nigsti Haftu (ETH) won the women's race in 1:07:37.

Damien Appere and Mangeiarasi Murugan were crowned French disabled sports champions.

Margaux Sieracki (sixth) and Benjamin Choquert (seventh) flew the flag for France in the top 10.

A mixed urban and natural course with a spectacular finish on Place de la Bastille.

WINNERS OF THE DAY

The men ran a tactical race as the favourites stuck together in the first part of the race. 8 kilometres into the course, Kenyan Boniface Kibiwott upped the pace before going solo in the final 5 kilometres and crossing the finish line in first place with a time of 1:00:52. Vincent Yegon, second in 1:01:18, and Benard Kimelli, third in 1:01:23, locked up the podium for Kenya. Benjamin Choquert, seventh with 1:03:38, was the top-ranked French runner. 

In contrast, the women's race came down to a sprint. Ethiopian Nigsti Haftu took the spoils in 1:07:37, beating Kenyan Joyce Tele, in the same time. Another Kenyan, Brillian Kipkoech, posted a time of 1:09:18 to claim the bottom step of the podium.

Frenchwoman Margaux Sieracki came in sixth in 1:11:01 in her half marathon debut.

Thanks to Harmonie Mutuelle, the last runners were feted just like the winners of the race, with a special celebration, for the first time in the history of the Semi de Paris.

posted Sunday March 6th