Cheptegei Excels, Eyayu Shocks in Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Posted by: Watch Athletics

New Delhi, October 20th: Olympic runner Joshua Cheptegei captured the men’s title at today’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, while Alemaddis Eyayu outpaced the favored Cynthia Limo for an unexpected victory in the women’s race. This event is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race and was held in the heart of India’s capital.

Kenyan runner Alex Matata, 27, dominated most of the race alongside his compatriot Nicholas Kipkorir, who was competing in his first international half marathon. Kipkorir is a bronze medalist from last year’s 5 km World Championships.

Matata had an impressive year in Europe, winning all three races he participated in, posting sub-60 minute times in two of them. These achievements set the stage for an eagerly anticipated finish. Matata led until the final approach to the finish line at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, where Cheptegei, trailing just seconds behind, overtook him to clinch the win in 59:46. Matata and Kipkorir completed the podium, clocking 59:53 and 59:59, respectively.

The Vedanta Delhi half marathon is renowned for its fast courses, as evidenced when Deriba Merga set a sub-60-minute record here in 2008, a feat that has been replicated in subsequent editions, including 2014 when nine runners finished under one hour.

Muktar Edris of Ethiopia, another top contender, finished fifth in 60:52, while Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu took fourth in 60:40.

Cheptegei expressed special fondness for this win, his first in a half marathon, stating, “This victory in Delhi is particularly meaningful as it marks my first half marathon win. I've had a strong connection with India throughout my career. Despite a slow start, my strategy was to gradually overtake Kipkorir and Matata, which paid off splendidly.”

In the women’s race, Eyayu continued Ethiopia’s success streak, with Scotland’s Commonwealth champion Eilish McColgan, the only woman with a sub-66 minute time in today's elite lineup, trailing throughout the race. Eyayu and Limo were neck-and-neck until the latter stages, when Eyayu surged ahead to finish in 68:17, leaving Limo 10 seconds behind. Mesfin secured third with a time of 69:42, and McColgan finished fourth in 69:55.

Post-race, Eyayu shared, “I maintained a steady pace and aimed for a strong finish, and I’m thrilled with the outcome.” Limo added, “Returning to the Delhi podium after nine years and securing second place feels incredible. The lively atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd made this experience unforgettable.”

The total prize money for the event was $260,000, with the top finishers in both the men’s and women’s races receiving $27,000, $20,000, and $13,000, respectively.

Sawan Barwal outshone his previous performance by winning gold in the Indian Elite Men's category with a time of 1:02:46. He overtook Puneet Yadav in the final stretch, improving on his last year's bronze. Lili Das triumphed in the Indian Elite Women's category, clocking 1:18:12 in her debut, leading Kavita Yadav and Priti Lamba, who finished in 1:19:44 and 1:20:21, respectively.

The Delhi community once again united to celebrate fitness and camaraderie, with thousands of participants, from elite athletes to enthusiastic novices, embodying the city's spirit of health and social responsibility.

TOP RESULTS MEN HALF MARATHON

POS.NAMENAT.TIME
1JOSHUA CHEPTEGEIUGA0:59:46
2ALEX MATATAKEN0:59:53
3NICHOLAS KIPKORIRKEN0:59:59
4ALPHONCE SIMBUTAN1:00:40
5MUKTAR EDRISETH1:00:52
6ISMAEL KIPRONOKEN1:00:53
7LEVY KIBETKEN1:01:29
8DINKALEM AYELEETH1:02:00
9MALEDE BUKAYAWISR1:02:43
10EMBAY GOITOMETH1:02:44
11SAWAN BARWALIND1:02:46
12YITAYEW ABUHAYISR1:03:40
13PUNEET YADAVIND1:03:55
14KIRAN MATREIND1:04:58
15SAHIL GILLIND1:06:09

TOP RESULTS WOMEN HALF MARATHON

POS.NAMENAT.TIME
1ALEMADDIS EYAYUETH1:08:17
2CYNTHIA LIMOKEN1:08:27
3TIRUYE MESFINETH1:09:42
4EILISH MCCOLGANGBR1:09:55
5YALEMGET YAREGALETH1:10:21
6ZERIHUN ALEMSTSEHAYETH1:13:41
7GELANE GETUETH1:14:53
8BALEMLAY SHUMETETH1:15:25
9DIBABE BEYENEETH1:16:57
10LILI DASIND1:18:12
11KAVITA YADAVIND1:19:44
12PRITI LAMBAIND1:20:20
13ARCHANA JADHAVIND1:20:21
14BASANTI KUMARIIND1:20:25
15JYOTI SAROJIND1:20:38
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