Jepkosgei Breaks Women's Half Marathon World Record in Valencia
Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei won the Valencia Half Marathon women's race in a new record record time of 64:51 on Sunday, October 22.
Jepkosgei shaved one second from her own world record she set in Prague in April.
Jepkosgei earned the world's attention at the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in April where she clocked 64:52 to became the first woman to run sub 65 minutes in the half marathon. En route to 64:52 the 23-year-old Kenyan also broke world records in 10k (30:04), 15k (45:37), and 20k (61:25).
In September Jepkosgei returned to Czech capital city and became the first woman to break the 30-minute barrier on the roads as she clocked 29:43 at the Birell Prague Grand Prix 10K.
On Sunday, October 22, Jepkosgei paced by steeplechase legend Ezekiel Kemboi split 30:09 for the 10KM, just 5 seconds slower than her WR pace in April. But her pace still was more than a minute faster than her record. Despite dropping significantly her speed in the last kilometers, Jepkosgei managed to hold on to finish the race just one second faster than in Prague.
“It was my first race in Valencia, I enjoyed a lot, the weather is nice, the circuit is perfect to run fast,” said Jepkosgei. “I hope to come back in March for the World Half Marathon Championships.”
In the men’s race, Abraham Cheroben of Bahrein, the 2017 world leader with his 58:40 from Copenhagen, got his third win in Valencia in 59:11. Cheroben is the Valnecia course record holder with 58:44 from 2014.
Top Women
1 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 1:04:51
2 Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 1:05:36
3 Lucy Cheruiyot (KEN) 1:07:30
4 Gelete Burka (ETH) 1:08:17
5 Paskalia Chepkorir (KEN) 1:09:13
6 Trihas Gebre (ESP) 1:09:55
7 Birhan Mhretu (ETH) 1:09:59
8 Azmera Gebru Hagos (ETH) 1:10:39
Men
1 Abraham Cheroben (BRN) 59:11
2 Leul Gebresilase (ETH) 59:18
3 Fikadu Haftu (ETH) 59:22
4 Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) 59:48
5 Mustapha El Aziz (MAR) 1:00:50
6 Amanuel Mesel (ERI) 1:00:53
7 Justus Kangogo (KEN) 1:00:55
8 Mathew Kisorio (KEN) 1:01:15
