Enigmatic Jepkosgei sets new record in Valencia Half-Marathon

Enigmatic Jepkosgei sets new record in Valencia Half-Marathon

Joyciline Jepkosgei broke the world record for a second time after clocking 1:04:51 during the Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Half -Marathon, shedding off just a second from her Praque record.

The 24 year old Jepkosgei made a major breakthrough last spring by breaking no less than four world records at the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon which she won in 1:04:52. Jepkosgei also set world records for 10km, 15km and 20km en route to victory.

On Sunday afternoon, in addition to breaking the world record, she also led Fancy Chemutai and Lucy Cheruiyot to a Kenyan clean podium sweep.

Chemutai took the runners up position in 1:05.38, while Cheruiyot took second runners up place in 1:07.30.

 “I am very happy, I came here in Valencia to test the course as I prepare for next year’s IAAF World Half Marathon Championships,” Jepksogei said in her post race interview.

Her counterparts were humbled by Kenyan born Bahraini Abraham Cheroben who took the men’s race hounors in 59.14, in a tightly contested race.  While Ethiopians; Aleme Leu Gebresilase (59.18) and Haftu Tsadik Fikadu, (59.22) took second and third positions.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Kenyan athletes had a bad day in office at the 32nd edition of the Huawei Venice Marathon.

However, there was confusion after the race navigators misguided the leading pack led by Victor Kipkemoi who took a wrong turn at the 25km marker which turned out to be a costly error.

 Joyciline Jepkosgei after winning the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon.IMAGE/AFP/IAAF.
Joyciline Jepkosgei after winning the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon.IMAGE/AFP/IAAF.

Home favourite, Eyob Ghebrehiwet Faniel, a runner of Eritrean origin, took advantage of the mistake and went for the top podium place in 2:12.16 and regained the title for his country last won 22 years ago by Danilo Goffi in 1995.

Eritrean Mohamed Musa settled for the second podium place in 2:15.20, while Gilbert Chumba started celebrating early for third place only for Moroccan Bamaarouf Tariq to cut his celebrations short.

Tariq sneaked past Chumba to take third place in 02:16:41, forcing Chumba to settle for fourth place after stopping the timer at 02:16:47.

Priscah Jepeting Cherono relinquished her Huawei Venice Marathon to Gedo Sule Utura of Ethiopia. Gedo took command of the race after 35km opening a huge gap to ensure that Cherono did not challenge her.

She took victory after clocking 02:29:04, about 12 minutes ahead of Cherono who stopped the timer at 02:41:08, for second place. Woldemichael Aynalem also from Ethiopia made a second podium finish for her country in 02:42:12.

Tags:

Joyciline Jepkosgei Bahraini Abraham Cheroben Praque Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Half -Marathon

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