Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir yesterday broke the world record for the women’s half marathon with a time of 1 hour 5min 6sec, shaving three seconds off the old record.
The 23-year-old, who won the world title over the distance last year, set the new record in winning the Ras al-Khaimah half-marathon in United Arab Emirates.
The victory highlighted a spectacular return by Jepchirchir who was sidelined with pneumonia for two months at the end of 2016.
The old record was set by Kenyan Florence Kiplagat in Barcelona two years ago.
Behind Jepchirchir, three-time race winner Mary Keitany came close to the old record with a personal best time of 1:05:13.
Joyciline Jepkosgei ensured a Kenyan clean sweep, with a time of 1:06:08, a personal best by almost three minutes.
In the men’s contest, world half-marathon championship silver medallist Bedan Karoki sped away in the final three kilometres to win in 59min 10 sec, ahead of Yigrem Demelash of Ethiopia (59:19) and Kenyan Augustine Choge (59:26).
Jepchirchir’s record still has to be ratified by the IAAF.
