Copenhagen Half Marathon: Sabastian Sawe Triumphs as Jakob Ingebrigtsen Battles to 34th Place
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The Copenhagen Half Marathon on September 15, 2024, showcased thrilling performances and surprising outcomes, with world-class athletes competing at the highest level. Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe outpaced Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo to claim victory in the men’s race, while Margaret Kipkemboi solo ran to a decisive win in the women’s event. Meanwhile, Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a track sensation, made his half marathon debut, marking an experience that tested his limits.
Men’s Race: Sawe’s Strategic Triumph
The men’s race was anticipated to be a fierce contest, featuring prominent athletes like Uganda’s world record-holder Jacob Kiplimo and Kenya’s reigning world half marathon champion Sabastian Sawe. Also joining the fray was Norway's Olympic and world 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, fresh off a Diamond League 1500m win in Brussels, making his half-marathon debut.
The race started with a large lead group passing the 5km mark in 13:53. However, the pack soon reduced to six: pacemaker Berihu Aregawi, Kiplimo, Sawe, Isaia Lasoi, Amos Kurgat, Kennedy Kimutai, and Ingebrigtsen. Ingebrigtsen, pushing hard, clocked a new Norwegian national record for 10km at 27:27 but pulled up soon after, signaling the difficulty of the half-marathon distance. After a short stop Ingebrigsten pushed on, encouraged by a supportive crowd, and, despite stopping and starting multiple times, eventually finished 34th with a time of 63:13.
Aregawi dropped out at 12km, leaving Kiplimo to lead alongside Sawe, Lasoi, and Kurgat. The competition intensified as Sawe, Kiplimo, and Lasoi stayed together until the 20km mark, reached in 55:13. In a dramatic final push, Sawe broke away from Kiplimo just before the finish line, winning in a personal best of 58:05, four seconds ahead of Kiplimo. Lasoi followed closely, finishing third with a personal best of 58:10.
Sawe's victory was not just about speed but also a masterclass in strategy and endurance, showcasing his capability to hold off some of the world's best long-distance runners. This win adds to his growing list of achievements, having won the world half marathon title in Riga the previous year.
Women’s Race: Kipkemboi’s Dominant Performance
In the women's race, Kenya's Margaret Kipkemboi, the world half marathon silver medalist, delivered a commanding performance. Initially joined by her compatriots Judy Kemboi, Catherine Reline Amanang'ole, and Sheila Chelangat, along with Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray, Kipkemboi gradually pulled away after the 10km mark, reached in 30:52.
By 15km, the race had narrowed to just Kipkemboi and Kemboi, but Kipkemboi's relentless pace soon saw her break away. She crossed the 20km mark in 1:01:42, extending her lead further to win in 1:05:11, more than half a minute ahead of Judy Kemboi, who finished in 1:05:43. Amanang'ole took third with a personal best of 1:06:09. This victory marked a double triumph for Kenya, as Kipkemboi proved her dominance on the road.
Ingebrigtsen’s Gritty Debut
Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s foray into half marathon running was an adventure of its own. Despite an impressive start and setting a Norwegian national record for 10km, the extended distance proved challenging for the middle-distance specialist. Ingebrigtsen described the 21km race as “definitely too long,” admitting that his legs were not prepared for such a test so soon after his track season. Though he had to stop multiple times, Ingebrigtsen persevered, encouraged by the cheering crowds, eventually finishing 34th in 1:03:13.
Reflecting on his experience, Ingebrigtsen expressed a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, citing the crowd's support as a crucial factor in his ability to finish the race. While he noted that he might not attempt another half marathon soon, his effort in Copenhagen showed the heart and determination of a true champion.
TOP RESULTS MEN HALF MARATHON
1. Sabastian Sawe - KEN - 58:05
2. Jacob Kiplimo - UGA - 58:09
3. Isaia Lasoi - KEN - 58:10
4. Amos Kurga - KEN - 58:47
5. Edward Cheserek - KEN - 59:32
6. Kennedy Kimutai - KEN - 59:47
7. Ayele Dinkalem - ETH - 1:00:11
8. Roncer Konga - KEN - 1:00:33
9. Nehemiah Kipyegon - SUI - 1:00:34
10. Peter Aila - KEN - 1:00:36
TOP RESULTS WOMEN HALF MARATHON
1. Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi - KEN - 1:05:11
2. Judy Kemboi - KEN - 1:05:43
3. Catherine Reline Amanangole - KEN - 1:06:09
4. Ftaw Zeray - ETH - 1:06:21
5. Sheila Chelangat - KEN - 1:06:42
6. Viola Chepngeno - KEN - 1:06:43
7. Karoline Grøvdal - NOR - 1:06:55
8. Veronica Loleo - KEN - 1:07:08
9. Susan Chembai - KEN - 1:08:18
10. Vivian Melly - KEN - 1:08:35
