Running News Daily

The 2026 edition of the HOKA Semi de Paris delivered thrilling action on the streets of Paris, where elite distance runners produced fast times and dramatic finishes in both the women’s and men’s races.

In the women’s contest, Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray produced a stunning performance to claim victory in 1:05:12, breaking the race course record with an authoritative run from start to finish. Zeray controlled the pace with confidence before pulling clear in the decisive stages, cementing her place in the history of the Paris half marathon.

Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat followed with a strong effort to secure second place in 1:06:31, maintaining her rhythm through the final kilometers. Just one second behind, Kenya’s Mercy Chepwogen completed the podium in 1:06:32, closing hard to finish third after a tightly fought battle to the line.

Women’s Top 3

1️⃣ Ftaw Zeray (ETH) — 1:05:12 CR

2️⃣ Sarah Chelangat (UGA) — 1:06:31

3️⃣ Mercy Chepwogen (KEN) — 1:06:32

The men’s race was equally competitive, with Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai demonstrating strength and tactical composure to take the win in 1:00:11. Running smoothly along the fast Parisian course, Kimutai held off late pressure to secure a convincing victory.

Fellow Kenyan Timothy Misoi followed in 1:00:41, ensuring a Kenyan one–two finish after a determined chase in the closing stages. South Africa’s Thabang Mosiako completed the podium in 1:00:44, finishing only seconds behind Misoi in a tightly contested fight for second place.

Men’s Top 3

1️⃣ Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) — 1:00:11

2️⃣ Timothy Misoi (KEN) — 1:00:41

3️⃣ Thabang Mosiako (RSA) — 1:00:44

With a course record, close finishes, and outstanding performances from athletes across Africa, the 2026 HOKA Semi de Paris once again proved why it remains one of Europe’s most exciting and competitive half marathons, drawing world-class runners to the iconic avenues of Paris.

The Burj2Burj Half Marathon 2026 delivered a compelling showcase of elite road running, as Dubai’s iconic course provided the backdrop for high-speed racing, tactical brilliance, and photo-finish drama across both the men’s and women’s fields.

In the men’s race, Ugandan icon Joshua Cheptegei once again demonstrated his pedigree on the roads, powering to victory in 59:26 after a relentless battle over 21.1 kilometers. The Olympic champion and 5000m & 10,000m world record holder was pushed to the very limit, with Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir crossing the line just two seconds behind in 59:28, while Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu secured third place in 59:30. Only four seconds separated the podium finishers, reflecting the uncompromising pace and intensity from start to finish.

Kenya’s Enos Kipruto narrowly missed a place on the podium with 1:00:03, followed closely by Ethiopia’s Lulu Negera in 1:00:04, as the leading group maintained pressure throughout the fast course. Ethiopia’s Aklilu Asfaw, Germany’s Richard Ringer, Kenya’s Yonah Mateiko, and Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu rounded out a deep and competitive top nine, while Carlos Díaz of Chile completed the top ten in 1:03:34 after a determined run against world-class opposition.

The women’s race matched the men’s contest for quality and suspense, producing a dramatic outcome decided by the narrowest of margins. Kenya’s Irene Cheptai delivered a composed and authoritative performance to claim victory in 1:06:57, demonstrating sharp tactical awareness as she stayed patient within a tightly packed lead group before asserting control in the decisive final stages.

She was closely followed by compatriot Daisilah Jerono, who finished just two seconds adrift in 1:06:59, securing a Kenyan one-two, while Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray completed the podium in 1:07:01. As in the men’s race, only four seconds separated the top three, underlining the elite depth and competitiveness at the front of the field.

Behind the medalists, the strength of the women’s race was equally evident. Jackline Cherono reinforced Kenya’s presence with a strong fourth-place finish in 1:09:11, while Alexandra Bell of Great Britain impressed in fifth with 1:09:35. Meritxell Soler of Spain led the European contingent in sixth, followed by Ethiopia’s Seba Diba in seventh. The international top ten was completed by Mikky Keetels of the Netherlands in eighth, Tea Faber of Croatia in ninth, and Nada Ina Pauer of Austria in tenth, highlighting the global appeal of the event.

With world-class performances, deep international fields, and victories decided by seconds, the Burj2Burj Half Marathon 2026 once again stood out as a premier road-running spectacle, where precision, patience, and championship pedigree defined a memorable day of racing on the streets of Dubai.

The Burj 2 Burj Half Marathon returns Sunday (Feb 8 in Dubai UAE, bringing a focused but highly competitive international field to one of the fastest and most visually striking courses in the Middle East. Framed by Dubai’s modern skyline and anchored by two of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the race has steadily grown into an important early-season test for elite road specialists and track stars transitioning to longer distances.

With flat terrain, predictable weather, and a reputation for honest pacing, the event offers athletes a valuable opportunity to establish form and confidence as the global road racing calendar begins to take shape.

Men’s Race: Kipkorir Leads, Cheptegei Adds Star Power

Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir enters as the clear favorite, carrying the fastest personal best in the field at 58:23. A proven road performer, Kipkorir has built his success on rhythm, efficiency, and the willingness to commit early. The Burj 2 Burj course traditionally rewards athletes who are prepared to take initiative, and his aggressive racing style makes him the man to watch from the gun.

Providing the strongest challenge is Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, whose 59:21 personal best tells only part of his story. One of the most decorated distance runners of his generation, Cheptegei brings unmatched championship experience, including multiple world titles on the track. His continued transition to road racing has been closely followed, and Dubai presents another key opportunity to test himself against seasoned half marathon specialists. If the race becomes tactical, his finishing speed and composure could prove decisive.

Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu, owner of a 60:03 best, adds depth and resilience to the field. Known for his strength in demanding competitions, Simbu excels in races where patience and mental toughness become critical. Kenya’s Enock Kipruto and Germany’s European marathon champion Richard Ringer, both with personal bests of 60:51, round out a men’s lineup where discipline and timing may ultimately determine the outcome.

Women’s Race: Cheptai Brings Momentum and Confidence

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Irine Cheptai stands out as the athlete to beat. Her impressive personal best of 64:53 places her at the front of the field, and she arrives with the experience and tactical awareness needed to control the race. Cheptai has demonstrated consistency across distances, and her ability to manage pace and respond under pressure makes her a formidable favorite.

Romania’s Joan Melly, with a 65:04 personal best, represents the closest challenger on paper. Melly’s strength lies in efficiency and measured racing, qualities that could allow her to remain within striking distance deep into the final kilometers.

Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray (66:04) brings the tradition of Ethiopian endurance excellence, while Kenya’s Jackline Cherono (67:16) adds further depth. In a field where the margins are slim, positioning and timing will likely prove decisive.

Dubai Provides the Perfect Early-Season Stage

The Burj 2 Burj Half Marathon continues to establish itself as more than just a fast race. It has become a strategic checkpoint for athletes aiming to build momentum, test fitness, and position themselves for major races later in the year.

With Nicholas Kipkorir and Irine Cheptai leading their respective fields, expectations are high. But with championship-tested competitors like Joshua Cheptegei and emerging challengers ready to seize opportunity, the outcome remains far from certain.

As the 2026 road racing season gains momentum, Dubai once again offers a stage where preparation meets opportunity—and where the next chapter of the season begins to unfold.

Uganda’s half marathon world record-holder Jacob Kiplimo showed once again why he’s in a class of his own, storming to a course record 58:29 at the 21K de Buenos Aires on Sunday (24). Racing in windy, chilly conditions, the two-time world cross-country champion dismantled the field and confirmed his status as the man to watch ahead of next month’s Chicago Marathon.

“I felt great throughout, but the wind affected me,” Kiplimo said after the race. “My main target today was to enjoy the experience, and I did that. As a fan of Lionel Messi, I was eager to come to Buenos Aires. My build-up for Chicago is going very well. I’ve heard there will be a world record pace there. I plan to run more conservatively, but I’d like to be close to the world record in the end.”

Relentless Front-Running

The men’s pack opened at 2:44/km pace, with 5km reached in 13:42. Kiplimo took control before 10km (27:25) and soon left his rivals behind. By 15km (41:03), the 2021 Olympic bronze medallist was nearly a minute clear, and despite gusting winds he still cut 36 seconds off the course record.

Behind him, Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura (59:56) outkicked Kenya’s Vincent Nyamongo (59:57) for second.

Women’s Race

Kenya’s Veronica Loleo surged late to win the women’s race in 1:06:58, ahead of Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray (1:07:07) and fellow Kenyan Catherine Amanangole (1:07:13).

Top Results

Men

1. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 58:29 (CR)

2. Seifu Tura (ETH) – 59:56

3. Vincent Nyamongo (KEN) – 59:57

4. Bereket Nega (ETH) – 1:00:03

5. Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN) – 1:00:03

Women

1. Veronica Loleo (KEN) – 1:06:58

2. Ftaw Zeray (ETH) – 1:07:07

3. Catherine Amanangole (KEN) – 1:07:13

4. Jesca Chelangat (KEN) – 1:07:41

5. Ludwina Chepngetich (KEN) – 1:07:44

Alex Matata of Kenya had the best win of his career in the 18th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon early today. But strong winds on an unusually cool morning in one of the smaller of the United Arab Emirates meant that Ejgayehu Taye’s attempt at the women’s world record was going to be blown off course, even if she had not started too fast.

The breeze and lack of a pacemaker to split the field meant that the men’s race was relatively sedate as well as over-populated in the first 10k, with 20 men still in contention at 28min 34sec. But there was no mistaking Matata in the pack, channelling Michael Jackson with a pink glove on his right hand. ‘For wiping the sweat, that’s all,’ he explained afterwards. But when colleague and race favourite Isaia Lasoi, who’d been sharing the lead with him up to then started feeling a groin strain, Matata began to assume the initiative.

"I realised at 14k that I was stronger than the others, so I thought I had a good chance of winning,’ he said. He raised the pace such that the computed finish outside 60min was soon transformed, and his relentless front-running dropped both his rivals and the time, and he ended up taking 17sec off his personal best with a win in 59min 20sec.

Lasoi hung in well, and looked to have second place sewn up, especially when Gemechu Dida suddenly dropped back with a kilometre to run; but the Ethiopian rallied and caught the Kenyan just before the line to get second and relegate Lasoi to the same third spot as last year. A stride can be costly in this sport. While Matata took home $20,000, Dida’s last gasp second place earned him $10,000, four thousand more than Lasoi.

Matata is something of an outlier in Kenya, coming from the capital Nairobi instead of the western highlands’ hotbeds of excellence; and also being a relatively late starter in his early twenties. But when he began running well with a 61.03 clocking in the Nairobi half-marathon in 2021, he was persuaded to move up to Eldoret, the heartland of national distance running. Now at 27, a regime of 150 kilometres a week has seen him transformed into a regular winner, with four victories and three sub-60min clockings in his five half-marathons last year. And now, he’s given himself a New Year’s present. But he’s not tempted to move up to the marathon yet. ‘Not for two years. I still want to run faster at the half-marathon, in the 58 minutes and maybe 57 minutes’.

In the women’s race, Ejgayehu Taye was so confident that she could run well that she even brought her own pacemaker, Wosinew Admasu with her. And a starting temperature of 12C (54F) felt good until she headed into the wind. Although the expected contest with her colleage Girmawit Gebrzihair did not materialise (the latter dropped out) things went to plan for the first five kilometres, which she covered in 14min 57sec.  But the pace and wind took their toll and she fell further behind her schedule and was grateful to win in 65.52, exactly three minutes outside her target time. ‘I was expecting to run fast, even maybe get the world record, but the wind was too strong; I felt it was pushing me back. But I’m glad to win’. Her time is a world lead for 2025.

Results, Men:

1. Alex Matata KEN 59:20

2. Gemechu Dida ETH 59:25

3. Isaia Lasoi KEN 59:26

4. Chimdessa Debele ETH 59:28

5. Gerba Dibaba ETH 59:35

6. Nibret Melak ETH 59:45

7. Hillary Kipkoech KEN 59:53

8. Tesfaye Deriba ETH 59:56

9. Haftamu Gebresilase ETH 59:56

10. Mao Ako TAN 60:28

Women:

1. Ejgayehu Taye ETH 65:52

2. Judy Kemboi KEN 66:34

3. Jesca Chelangat KEN 66:53

4. Ftaw Zeray ETH 67:05

5. Gete Alemayehu ETH 67:14

6. Adane Anmaw ETH 68:02

7. Veronica Loleo KEN 68:06

8. Lemlem Hailu ETH 68:07

9. Brillian Jepkorir KEN 68:48

10. Betelihem Afenigus ETH 69:02

Sabastian Sawe outkicked Jacob Kiplimo to win the men’s race in a world lead, while Margaret Kipkemboi solo ran her way to victory in the women’s race at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, on Sunday (15).

Uganda’s world record-holder Kiplimo, Kenya’s world champion Sawe and his Kenyan compatriot Isaia Lasoi were all in contention in the closing stages, but Sawe had the strongest finish. He managed to get a gap on Kiplimo with the finish line in sight and won in a PB of 58:05, four seconds ahead of Kiplimo. Lasoi was one second further back in a PB of 58:10.

Kenya’s world half marathon silver medallist Kipkemboi was joined by her compatriots Judy Kemboi, Catherine Reline Amanang'ole and Sheila Chelangat plus Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray through 10km but she left her rivals behind during the second half of the race to win by more than half a minute in 1:05:11. Kemboi was second in a PB of 1:05:43 and Amanang'ole, the world half marathon bronze medallist behind Kipkemboi, was third in a PB of 1:06:09.The men’s race also featured Norway's Olympic and world 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, making his half marathon debut just two days after winning the Diamond League 1500m title in Brussels.

He formed part of a large lead men’s group that passed 5km in 13:53, but that pack quickly whittled down to six – pacemaker Berihu Aregawi, the 5000m champion in Brussels two days ago, leading ahead of Kiplimo, Sawe, Lasoi, Amos Kurgat, Kennedy Kimutai and Ingebrigtsen.

But Ingebrigtsen couldn’t maintain that pace and he pulled up at 10km, reached in 27:27 – a national record for the Norwegian on the roads. His rivals strode ahead and although he stopped a couple more times, Ingebrigtsen did continue to the finish and clocked 1:03:13.

After letting Sawe take the lead for a spell, Kiplimo was back in front at 15km, passed in 41:17. From there it was a battle between the trio of Kiplimo, Sawe and Lasoi. They were together through 20km in 55:13, before Sawe took control in the closing stages and went on to win in a time that improves his own world lead and is just four seconds off the race record, which was a world record when it was set by Geoffrey Kamworor in 2019.

Having won his world half marathon title in Riga last year, Sawe will have the opportunity to return to Copenhagen in 2026, when the city hosts the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

Another athlete who could be there is his compatriot Kipkemboi, who secured silver in Riga. This time in Copenhagen she ran as part of a group that reached 5km in 15:22 and she had Kemboi, Amanang'ole, Chelangat and Zeray for company through 10km in 30:52. The race was down to Kipkemboi and Kemboi by 15km, which they reached in 46:14, 15 seconds ahead of Amanang'ole. 

Kipkemboi then made her break and ran the final section of the race alone, getting to the 20km mark in 1:01:42 and extending her advantage to win in 1:05:11.

Sheila Chelangat was the surprise winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The Kenyan smashed her personal best and clocked a fine 66:47 despite rainy weather conditions and slippery roads. Fellow-Kenyan and debutant Miriam Chebet took second with 67:14 while Ethiopia’s Zewditu Aderaw was third in 68:17. The women’s race had a very good depth with eight runners finishing inside 69:00. Hicham Amghar of Marocco, who was runner-up a year ago, won the men’s race with a personal best of 59:47. Dinkalem Ayele was second in 59:55 while fellow-Ethiopian Gemechu Bute took third with 60:03. 

A record number of 14,200 runners entered the 19th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. This includes athletes who competed in a 10k race staged parallel.

Sheila Chelangat, who was the tenth fastest woman on the start list with a personal best of 69:38, took the lead relatively early in the race. The 26 year-old Kenyan ran behind a pacemaker when she moved clear between 7 and 10 k. Despite the poor weather conditions she was able to keep the pace high and was so strong that she was never challenged. “I am really happy with my performance and the victory. However the weather was poor and the roads were slippery,“ said Sheila Chelangat, who achieved her biggest career victory so far in Istanbul. “I am not yet planning a marathon debut,“ said the Kenyan, who only ran her half marathon debut last month in Lille, where she was second. 

Competing for second place Miriam Chebet and Zewditu Aderaw were battling between 10 and 13k. Then Kenya’s debutant Chebet was able to move away from the Ethiopian. Running her debut half marathon in Istanbul the former European 5,000 m Meraf Bahta finished in 16th position with 72:51. The Swede was the best European in the race, but missed the qualifying standard for the continental championships in Rome in June by over a minute.

In the men’s race a bigger leading group passed the 10k mark in 28:39. In-form Dinkalem Ayele was among the leaders, along with Hicham Amghar and Gemechu Bute. Ayele was the winner of the Lisbon Half Marathon this spring, but in the final stages the Ethiopian could not get passed Amghar. The runner from Marocco was in the lead after 17k with Ayele and Bute close behind. Finishing runner-up and beaten by just six seconds a year ago this time Amghar made sure he is the number one. With 59:47 he was eight seconds ahead and improved his PB from 2023 by six seconds. 

“Despite the weather I was able to run a personal best, so I am very happy. It was better to have rain instead of wind,“ said the 29 year-old winner, who celebrated one of his best career performances. “I may well return to Istanbul in November for my marathon debut. I really like the way the organisers take care of the elite runners here,“ said Hicham Amghar.

While Ethiopia’s pre-race favorite Solomon Berihu did not finish, Canada’s Cameron Levins was the fastest non-African runner in eighth place. He clocked a fine 60:38, missing his national record by just 20 seconds. Further down the results list there was a national record for the Virgin Islands: Eduardo Garcia ran 63:53 for 29th place. 

The reigning European half marathon champion Tadesse Abraham of Switzerland finished in 24th position with 63:18. “It was a good race, but mentally I am not well,“ said Tadesse Abraham, who still has to come to terms with with loss of his fellow-Swiss marathon runner Adrian Lehmann, who died after a heart attack just eight days ago. “I came to Istanbul to run and get this a bit out of my head. Taking this into account I am satisfied with my performance today.“

RESULTS, MEN:

1. Hicham Amghar         MAR 59:47

2. Dinkalem Ayele             ETH 59:55

3. Gemechu Bute             ETH   60:03

4. Antony Kimtai               KEN     60:16

5. Benard Bitwott               KEN     60:18

6. Solomon Kipchoge         KEN     60:19

7. Mathew Samperu         KEN      60:27

8. Cameron Levins           CAN     60:38

9. James Kipkoech     KEN       60:43

10. Edward Pingua     KEN     61:08

WOMEN:

1. Sheila Chelangat           KEN 66:47

2. Miriam Chebet               KEN 67:14

3. Zewditu Aderaw           ETH 68:17

4. Betelihem Afenigus       ETH 68:33

5. Ftaw Zeray                     ETH 68:39

6. Betty Kibet   KEN 68:39

7. Gladys Chepkurui           KEN 68:50

8. Aberash Shilima           ETH 68:52

9. Ruth Jebet                   BRN 69:10

10. Meseret Dinke             ETH 69:53

Solomon Berihu of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui head a very strong field of elite runners at the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon on Sunday. They feature personal bests of 59:17 and 65:46 respectively. The men’s field is really impressive since eight runners have already broken the one hour mark and another nine feature personal bests of sub 61:00.

There are seven women with sub 68:00 PBs and an additional three have run under 70:00. A couple of European runners will try to achieve the qualifying times for the European Championships in Rome in June. Among them are Turkey’s record holder Ali Kaya, who will start a comeback, and Sweden’s debutant Meraf Bahta. The required times stand at 61:40 and 70:30 for men and women respectively.

Organisers of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, which is a Gold Label Road Race of World Athletics, have registered a record number of 14,200 runners. This includes a 10k race staged parallel on Sunday. Turkey’s number one road race is one of the world’s major half marathons and has a world record course. Three years ago Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich broke the global mark in Istanbul with 64:02. While the world record has been improved since the course record still stands and will likely remain in place on Sunday. 

However there could still be another very fast time from the women’s winner on Sunday. With a personal best of 66:04 Ftaw Zeray is the second fastest on the start list behind Gladys Chepkurui. It was three weeks ago when the 26 year-old ran her first race of the year and finished runner-up in the Berlin Half Marathon. In very difficult conditions with temperatures well over 20 Celsius she still ran 67:22. “I have well recovered from the race in Berlin. I feel I can run a personal best on Sunday,“ said Ftaw Zeray, who was sixth in the World Half Marathon Championships last year. 

With regard to the weather forecast high temperatures will not be a problem for Ftaw Zeray on Sunday in Istanbul. But with six other women who have already run sub 68:00 the challenge is likely to be tougher than in the German capital. While Gladys Chepkurui missed her flight to Istanbul and will now arrive half a day later, she will hardly be delayed when it comes to racing fast. The Kenyan clocked her 65:46 PB in Barcelona a year ago and has run sub 70:00 eleven times.

Ethiopians Betelihem Afenigus and Aberash Shilima are the next fastest on the entry list with PBs of 66:46 and 67:26 respectively. However a debutant could also be in the mix for a place on the podium: Just 21 years old Miriam Chebet showed great form and consistency this year with three sub 31:00 times at 10k. When she won the race in Ibiza, Spain, in January she clocked a fine PB of 30:40.

Another promising debutant is Sweden’s Meraf Bahta. The European 5,000 m champion from 2014 is a late entry to the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The 34 year-old is the Swedish 10k record holder with a 31:22 PB from 2022. The former Eritrean could qualify for the European Championships if she runs 70:30 or faster in her debut. Due to an injury Italy’s Giovanna Epis had to withdraw from the race in Istanbul.

Solomon Berihu is the fastest runner on the start list with his PB of 59:17. He ran this time back in 2019 in New Delhi and has not raced for almost a year. “I had an injury that kept me away from training. Now, I am feeling better and I am back in shape,“ explained the 24 year-old Ethiopian, who hopes to come back with a bang on Sunday. “My first goal is to win the race, but I am also hoping to run 59:30 or even faster.“ The Istanbul course record stands at 59:15.

Another Ethiopian is among the hot favourites: Dinkalem Ayele has shown great form this year when he improved to 59:30 in Barcelona and then won the Lisbon Half Marathon in very warm conditions with 60:36. “I am in good form and confident that I can go close to 59 minutes if weather conditions are suitable,“ said 23 year-old Dinkalem Ayele.

Solomon Kipchoge will probably be among the athletes who will challenge the two Ethiopians. The Kenyan, who improved his half marathon PB by almost two and a half minutes last year when he ran 59:37 in Lille, chose to come to Istanbul because of the fast course. “I will not start the race with a certain time or placing in mind. It depends on how my body will feel during the race. But I will try to improve my PB,“ said Solomon Kipchoge, who has the same surname as the double Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge. “I have no connection to Eliud, I am often asked about this outside Kenya. I am happy to be asked, because Eliud is a legend.“

Having not race since 2020 Ali Kaya surprised the organisers when he asked them to include him on the start list for a comeback race. The 30 year-old former Kenyan, who competed for Turkey since 2013, is a former winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. When he took the race in 2016 he established a national record of 60:16 that still stands today. The 61:40 qualifying time for the European Championships could be a goal for Ali Kaya. Spaniard Juan Antonio Perez, who has a PB of 60:58, will probably also target this time.

Elite runners and personal bests

MEN

Solomon Berihu ETH 59:17

Edmond Kipngetich KEN 59:25

Dinkalem Ayele ETH 59:30

Solomon Kipchoge KEN 59:37

Benard Biwott KEN 59:44

Antony Kimtai KEN 59:45

Tadesse Abraham SUI 59:53

Hicham Amghar MAR 59:53

Hillary Kipchumba KEN 60:01

Abraham Kipyatich KEN 60:03

Gemechu Bute ETH 60:12

Ali Kaya TUR 60:16

Cameron Levins CAN 60:18

Vincent Mutai KEN 60:20

Edward Pingua KEN 60:44

Benard Sang KEN 60:57

Juan Antonio Perez ESP 60:58

Albert Rop BRN 61:05

Mathew Samperu KEN 61:06

Tegegn Tamerat ETH 61:15

Ashenafi Moges ETH 61:22

WOMEN

Gladys Chepkurui KEN 65:46

Ftaw Zeray ETH 66:04

Betelihem Afenigus ETH 66:46

Aberash Shilima ETH 67:26

Anchinalu Dessie ETH 67:30

Zewditu Aderaw ETH 67:44

Betty Kibet KEN 67:44

Ruth Jebet BRN 68:22

Zinashwork Yenew ETH 69:16

Sheila Chelangat KEN 69:38

Meseret Dinke ETH 70:39

Amina Bettiche ALG 71:38

Miriam Chebet KEN Debut

Meraf Bahta SWE Debut

Daniel Simiu is not resting on his laurels as he targets the course record at the Berlin Half Marathon on Sunday.

World Half Marathon silver medallist Daniel Simiu has eyes on the course record as he returns to the Berlin Half Marathon on Sunday, April 7.

The course record currently stands at 58:42 and was set by Eric Kiptanui during the 2018 edition of the event. Simiu has been unbeaten so far this season, claiming wins at the 67° Campaccio-International Cross Country and the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country.

He now heads to the German capital confident and ready to pull off something unique with the course record part of his major plans. However, he faces a stern test from his compatriots since all the six runners that have personal bests of sub 60 minutes are from Kenya.

The 28-year-old has not yet run sub 59:00 and his PB stands at 59:04 which he will attempt to beat when he descends on the course. Last season, he stunned the world to win the Kalkutta 25k race with a world-best time of 1:11:13.

The record he set in India indicates that Ebenyo should be capable of running well under the course record in Berlin. Bravin Kiprop will also be in the mix after taking the Sevilla Half Marathon earlier this year and improving to 59:21, which at that time was a world-leading time.

Simon Boch is the fastest German on the start list with 61:23 while Samuel Fitwi returns to the race where he set his personal record of 61:44 a year ago.

Meanwhile, the women’s race will see Germany’s record holder Melat Kejeta, return to the streets of Berlin. Kejeta has won the race before but when she triumphed in 2018 with 69:04 she still competed for Ethiopia.

“My first goal is to run faster than the 66:25 I ran in Valencia last year. If all goes well during the race then I will try to attack my personal best,” she said.

Ftaw Zeray and Yalemget Yaregal from Ethiopia will certainly be her strongest challengers. Zeray has a PB of 66:04 while Yaregal was third at the Berlin Half Marathon last year in 66:27.

With fast races and deep elite fields the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon has in recent years established itself among the world’s most prestigious races at the distance.

It looks certain that this pattern will be continued when the 19th edition takes place on 28th April. The current elite start list features 18 runners who have personal bests faster than 1:01:00 and nine women who have already run faster than 1:08:00. There are only very few other half marathons in the world who can match such an impressive depth. Ethiopia’s Solomon Berihu is currently the fastest athlete on the list with a PB of 59:17 while Gladys Chepkurui of Kenya heads the women’s field with 1:05:46.

In total around 16,000 runners are expected to compete in the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, including a 10k race staged parallel on 28th April. Turkey’s number one road race features a Gold Label of World Athletics, reflecting the high standards of the event. Registration for the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon is still possible at: https://www.istanbulyarimaratonu.com/en/

“The Türkiye İş Bankası İstanbul Half Marathon stands out with its historic route. It is also one of just a smaller number of races in the Gold Label category worldwide“, said Race Director Renay Onur. “Our race is a special event that brings together both internationally renowned athletes and talented newcomers. This year, elite athletes from many different countries will take part. Despite a month remaining until the deadline, the registration record has already been broken and we expect to have 16,000 athletes.”

With his personal best of 59:17 Solomon Berihu is just two seconds slower than Istanbul’s course record, set by Kenya’s Rodgers Kwemoi two years ago in windy conditions. It remains to be seen if the 59:15 record will be challenged next month. While Berihu is the fastest on paper a fellow Ethiopian has lately shown very good form: Dinkalem Ayele clocked a personal best of 59:30 for fourth place in Barcelona earlier this year. He then went on to take the prestigious Lisbon Half Marathon this month. Running in very warm conditions and without a pacemaker for much of the distance his winning time of 1:00:36 would most likely have been much faster in different circumstances.

23 year-old Ayele is the third fastest on the start list behind Berihu and Edmond Kipngetich. The Kenyan clocked 59:25 in Copenhagen two years ago. He has consistently run fine half marathon times, clocking times below 60:00 four times in the past three years. A runner from Kenya with a prominent name could be in for a surprise: Solomon Kipchoge (who is not related to the double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge) must still be regarded as a newcomer despite being already 27. He first raced in Europe in 2022, when he clocked 1:02:00 in Italy’s Trento Half Marathon. Last year Kipchoge improved significantly when he finished fifth in Lille with 59:37.

Cameron Levins might well try to challenge the African favorites. A year ago he broke the Canadian half marathon record when he won the race in Vancouver with 1:00:18. The Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon will be his first major race in a year, when Levins will compete in the Olympic marathon in Paris.

In the women’s field the fastest runner on the start list has shown great consistency in the half marathon: Gladys Chepkurui clocked her personal best of 1:05:46 in Barcelona last year, when she was fourth in a fast race. The 29-year-old has already run the half marathon under 70:00 on eleven occasions. Last year she competed at eight races over her favorite distance, winning three of them and finishing runner-up three times. Gladys Chepkurui already showed fine form this year as well, when she was third in Barcelona and second in New York with 1:06:34 and 1:09:27 respectively.

Ftaw Zeray is another athlete whose focus is very much on the half marathon. 2023 was her best year so far. The Ethiopian took third in the competitive Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates with 1:06:04, which remains her personal best. Zeray then was sixth in the World Half Marathon Championships in Riga, Latvia. This performance suggests that the 26 year-old should be able to improve her personal best.

Sheila Chelangat is an athlete who has just run her half marathon debut. The Kenyan was runner-up in Lille this March with 1:09:38. She has been a good track runner, featuring a fine PB of 14:40.51 in the 5,000 m. After a solid debut in Lille there is more to come from her.

Italy’s Giovana Epis is an experienced marathon runner, who was 12th at the World Championships in Budapest last year and has fine PB of 2:23:46. In the half marathon she has not yet broken 1:10:00 which she should be well capable of. Epis’ personal best stands at 1:10:15 and she is the leading European entrant of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon.

Ethiopian duo Asefa Boki Kebebe and Bekelech Gudeta were victorious at the C&D Xiamen Marathon on Sunday (7), winning the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in 2:06:46 and 2:22:54 respectively.

Kebebe upset a quality field that contained three sub-2:05 runners, outracing Kenya’s Felix Kirwa in the final seven kilometres to take the men’s title, falling just 27 seconds shy of the course record.

A leading group of more than 10 runners passed through 10km in 29:28 and 15km in 44:20. After the leaders hit the 20km mark in 59:08, defending champion Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba and fellow Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie, the fastest entrant with a personal best of 2:04:48, both withdrew.

The pace decreased slightly after 20km but the leading group continued to shrink. At 25km there were only five runners left in the leading pack: Kebebe, Kirwa, Solomon Kirwa Yego of Kenya, Ethiopai’s Adane Kebede Gebre and Moroccan record-holder Othmane El Goumri.

Gebre dropped out of contention just before 30km, which the leaders reached in 1:29:13. After another kilometre, 31-year-old El Goumri tried to make a move. Although the Moroccan’s attempt went in vain, Yego failed to keep up. After the leading trio hit 35km in 1:44:43, El Goumri gradually faded away as well.

Kirwa stayed in the pole position as Kebebe followed closely behind. Kebede’s patience paid off as the Ethiopian made a decisive surge in the final kilometre to pass Kirwa, notching his third marathon title in China following victories in Changchun and Tianjin last year.

Kirwa – who has marathon titles in Yichang, Stockholm, Macao, Singapore and Antwerp – took second place in 2:06:52. El Goumri finished third in 2:07:18.

Like Kebebe, 26-year-old Gudeta also emerged victorious from a stacked field, but her victory was more comfortable.

An Ethiopian trio of Gudeta, Aberu Ayana Mulisa and Ftaw Zeray led the women’s race to 15km in 55:09 with the closest chaser, Morocco’s world bronze medallist Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi, lagging more than 40 seconds behind.

Zeray soon fell behind before the leading duo passed 20km and Mulisa, who achieved her PB of 2:21:54 last year in Seville, also failed to keep up with Gudeta near the halfway point.

Gudeta continued to extend her lead and went on to win in 2:22:54, shaving two seconds from the PB she set when winning in Prague two years ago.

Gardadi finished second in 2:24:12 taking almost a minute off her PB in what was her second race in Xiamen in five weeks following a 1:11:14 victory at the Xiamen Half Marathon.

China’s Zhang Deshun was third in 2:26:53.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir underlined her status as one of the all-time greats by claiming a third world half marathon title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 on Sunday (1), the 30-year-old utilising her fearsome finishing speed to take gold in 1:07:25.

She was followed home by compatriot Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi in 1:07:26, with Catherine Reline Amanang’ole completing a 1-2-3 for Kenya in 1:07:34.

“I wanted to win three times and make history, and thank God I have made it,” said Jepchirchir. “It was my birthday this week and I told my husband I would work extra hard to get the win.”

Jepchirchir led Kenya to a decisive victory in the team title, their first since 2016, when they also swept the medal positions. Their top three had a cumulative time of 3:22:25, with Ethiopia second with 3:27:55 and Great Britain and Northern Ireland claiming bronze with 3:29:15.

“I am so happy for team Kenya,” said Jepchirchir. “I knew we would sweep this as a team because I trust my colleagues so much.”

On a cool, sunny afternoon in the Latvian capital, Jepchirchir once again played a very patient game, the Olympic marathon champion and women-only half marathon world record holder content to let the pace remain steady through much of the race, knowing she possessed a gear no one else could live with when it counted most.

The early pace was relatively pedestrian, with a group of 22 hitting the 5km mark clustered together, led by Britain’s Samantha Harrison in 16:25. But that pack began to whittle soon after, with a group of eight passing 10km in 32:19.

Jepchirchir, Chelimo Kipkemboi and Reline Amanang’ole took turns at the front soon after, with British duo Harrison and Calli Thackery also putting in a shift in the breezy conditions. But in the third quarter, Harrison and Thackery began to lose contention while the Kenyans started to apply pressure up front, Amanang’ole passing 15km in 48:33 and six athletes left in the battle for the podium positions.

That was soon down to five, with Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray dropping away. Jepchirchir ran at the back of the pack as they approached 20km, marking her opponents’ every move. But as they ran through the old town and back towards the finish, alongside the River Daugava, Jepchirchir began to take closer order, with just one Ethiopian, Tsigie Gebreselama, sandwiched among the four Kenyans.

The 20km mark, reached in 1:04:20, was Jepchirchir’s cue to make her first big effort, surging to the front and quickly checking the effect on her rivals, with only her compatriot Irine Jepchumba Kimais dropping away. But with Kipkemboi soon taking up the pace, the Kenyans swiftly had what they wanted – with Gebreselama dropping off the leading trio.

Leading into the wind in the final kilometre, Kipkemboi began to veer around the road, hoping for assistance from those behind, but by then it was every woman for themselves, Jepchirchir smartly sitting in her teammate’s slipstream until she drew inside the final 400 metres, at which point she unleashed that renowned change of pace, surging to gold.“When I saw the tape, I started celebrating,” said Jepchirchir, who admitted she couldn’t sleep the night before as she was worried about the race. But with another global title in the bag, she has big plans for the year ahead.

“Next month I’m going to run the New York City Marathon,” said Jepchirchir, who will then train her sights on retaining her Olympic marathon title. “That’s my prayer; I pray to God for good health to get that chance. I will try my best.”

Silver medallist Chelimo Kipkemboi said: “It was great to run with Peres today. I am always proud to run for Kenya. I was fourth at the World Championships on the track so to get a medal today is very special. It’s very nice to see that I’m progressing and next, I will race the Valencia Half Marathon.”

Amanang’ole was content with her bronze, saying: “It was a very tough race but I’m super excited because it is my first time running this event.”

 

Both course record holders will return to the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon on 30th April: Organizers from Spor Istanbul announced today that Ruth Chepngetich and fellow-Kenyan Rodgers Kwemoi will head extraordinary strong elite fields next month. The marathon world champion from 2019 has established a unique win streak at the Bosphorus, which she will try to build on further: Ruth Chepngetich won the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon three times and triumphed in the N Kolay Marathon twice.

In total she competed five times in these races and broke the course record on all occasions. When Ruth Chepngetich established the current half marathon mark of 64:02 in 2021 this was a world record as well. Rodgers Kwemoi will compete in Turkey’s best quality elite road race for the second time. He improved the course record to 59:15 a year ago.

Currently, nine men are on the start list of the Istanbul Half Marathon who have already broken the hour mark and nine women feature personal bests of sub-67 minutes. Istanbul 2023 offers one of the strongest line-ups in half marathon racing this year. The 18th N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon is an Elite Label Road Race of World Athletics.

Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich has shown superb marathon form earlier this month, when she took the Nagoya women’s race with a world-class 2:18:08. Seven weeks later the 28-year-old hopes to be ready for another fast performance in Istanbul.

“I am super excited to come to the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon for the fourth time and to defend my title. I have always performed well in Istanbul and I am hoping to run another fast race if the weather cooperates,“ said Ruth Chepngetich, whose course record of 64:02 still is the Kenyan record while the world record now stands at 62:52. 

To build on her Istanbul win streak Chepngetich is mixing with a top-level field on Sunday, April 30. A group of Ethiopians could challenge the Kenyan.At just 21 years of age Bosena Mulatie already has a strong personal best of 65:46. She ran the time in Ras Al Khaimah (United Aarab Emirates) last year, where she finished fifth. In the summer, she achieved qualification for the World Championships and placed eighth in the 10,000 m final. Ethiopians Ftaw Zeray and Bekelech Gudeta feature personal records of 66:04 and 66:35 respectively. Gudeta ran her PB last year in Istanbul when she was third. Gete Alemayehu has been in fine form earlier this year, when she finished 12th in the challenging World Cross Country Championships. The Ethiopian has a half marathon PB of 66:37.

Additionally, there is Evaline Chirchir, she ran 66:01 in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in 2020 when taking fourth. The 24-year-old did not compete for some time internationally, but ran a solid race in RAK last month with 67:15 for fifth place.

Rodgers Kwemoi is not only the course record holder but also the fastest athlete on the start list. The 25-year-old ran 58:30 when he was runner-up in RAK last year. After that race he broke the Istanbul course record by 20 seconds with 59:15 despite windy conditions. “My next goal in the half marathon is a time of 58:00,“ said Rodgers Kwemoi after this impressive win. He had no opportunity yet to reach that goal, so the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon could be the place for him to chase such a world-class time. 

Among Rodgers Kwemoi’s competitors there will be Amedework Walelegn, who has good memories of the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon as well. The Ethiopian was the winner in 2018 and at that time became the first runner to break the one hour barrier at the Bosphorus with a time of 59:50. Since then he has improved this PB to 58:40. The 24-year-old was in great form recently, when he first took the Sevilla Half Marathon with 60:28 and then won the Seoul Marathon in 2:05:27. 

Recent road race results from Kenyans Charles Langat and Daniel Ebenyo have been impressive as well and suggest that they could be in contention for victory in Istanbul as well. Langat won the Barcelona Half Marathon in February with 58:53 and Ebenyo, who has a very fast 10k PB of 26:58, was runner-up in the Manama Half Marathon in Bahrain in December with 59:04. 

Britain’s Marc Scott is the fastest European runner on the start list. The 3,000 m bronze medalist from the World Indoor Championships 2022 ran 60:39 in Larne (Northern Ireland)  three years ago for a runner-up spot behind Mo Farah. 

Hellen Obiri and Benard Kibet Koech achieved a Kenyan double at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, on Saturday (18).

Two-time world 5000m champion Obiri went one better than her runner-up spot in Ras Al Khaimah last year, clocking 1:05:05 to triumph by 44 seconds in the women’s race ahead of Ethiopia’s world marathon champion Gotytom Gebreslase.

The men’s race was closer, but Kibet still claimed a clear win as he kicked away to beat his Kenyan compatriot Daniel Mateiko by four seconds - 58:45 to 58:49.

Obiri and Gebreslase were part of a pack that passed through 5km in 15:10. By 10km they had broken away from their competition, clocking 30:28 at that point, just ahead of Kenya’s Olympic marathon silver medallist Brigid Kosgei (30:31).

Obiri started to make a move and was 25 seconds ahead at 15km, following her pacemaker through that mark in 45:39. Her lead only grew and she eventually crossed the finish line 44 seconds clear, Gebreslase claiming the runner-up spot in 1:05:51.

Running a well-judged race, Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray finished third in a PB of 1:06:04, half a minute ahead of Kosgei.

In the men’s race, Kibet and Mateiko featured in the lead group that passed the 10km mark in 27:33. Breaking away along with their compatriot Richard Yator, the trio were together through 15km in 41:30 before Yator was dropped.

Kibet kicked and Mateiko couldn’t match his rival’s finishing strength, as Kibet took more than a minute off his PB with his winning performance.

Yator followed them over the finish line in 59:37, while Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida finished fourth in 59:53.

A record number of more than 5500 participants took part in the programme of events in Ras Al Khaimah, which also included a half marathon relay, 5km race and 1 mile events.

Debutante Ftaw Zeray of Ethiopia took a surprise win in the women’s race at the Hefei International Marathon, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, on Sunday (10).

The 22-year-old Zeray, who set a half marathon career best of 1:10:31 in Marugame, Japan last February, broke clear after 35km and surprised a field that included eight sub-2:30 runners to cross the line in 2:29:15.

It was her second victory in China after her win at the Anhui Dangshan Half Marathon in 2016.

Running under sunny skies with temperature ranging from 15 to 20 degrees, Zeray was in the lead group of six that covered the first 10 kilometres in 34:59. The leaders were trimmed to five after 15km and later cut to just three runners after 30km.

Zeray and her compatriot Gebeyanesh Ayele along with Kenya’s Agnes Kiprop, a 39-year-old veteran who boasted the fastest personal best in the field with a 2:23:54 clocking from 2011, stayed together for another two kilometres when the seasoned Kenyan could no longer keep with the pace of the younger legs.

Zeray and the 24-year-old Ayele, a 2:26:54 performer, then ran side-by-side until Zeray pulled clear after 35km and never looked back.

Ayele clocked 2:31:08 to finish second, her third podium finish to date, while Kiprop settled for third in 2:32:08.

In the men’s race, Ethiopian Yihunilign Adane celebrated his first marathon title since debuting over the classic distance in 2016, as the 23-year-old scored a 2:10:06 victory in the capital city of China’s Anhui Province.

The rising Ethiopian, who set a PB of 2:09:11 from a third finish in Beppu nine months ago, gained a hard-fought sole lead after 38km en route to a 52-second victory.

Mohamed Reda El Aaraby of Morocco, who will turn 30 on Tuesday, finished second in 2:10:58. Kenya’s Julius Tuwei, the fastest entrant with a 2:08:06 PB, trailed two seconds further behind to finish third.

The race saw a crowded leading group soon after the gun, before Chinese runner Liu Hongliang took the lead after 5km. The 2:15:22 performer was 13 seconds ahead at 10km in 30:25 but was gradually reeled in by the chasers and finally swallowed up by the pack near the 15km mark.

Ethiopia’s Abdela Godana then tried to push ahead in the next few kilometres, cutting the lead group to just four runners by 21km.

Tuwei seemed to lose his energy and began to drift back at 30km (1:32:19). But the Kenyan managed to fight back and caught the leaders before 35km, while the charges earlier seemed to cost too much from Godana as the 27-year-old faded away and out of the hunt.

After a series of unsuccessful mini-breaks from the leading trio, Adane finally pulled clear after 38km and went on to wrap-up the victory comfortably.

El Aaraby, the 10,000m gold medalist at the World Military Games in Wuhan two weeks ago, surpassed Tuwei in the home stretch to finish second.