(10/04/2005)

Kenyan Wilson Kebenei Kiprotich raced to the world’s fastest time of 2005 to win the 34th edition of the Stramilano Half Marathon.

Kiprotich led the other runners through the course, from Piazza Castello to the famous Arena Civica Gianni Brera stadium, to produce the three best times in the world this year in a new world seasonal best of 1:00:11.

Tanzania' s John Yuda, who won the Stramilano in 2003, finished second in 1:00:25, while Kenya's Lawrence Kiprotich came in third in 1:00:30.

Robert Kipchumba, who won the 2004 Stramilano in 1:00:22, crossed the finish-line fifth in 1:01:39 behind the young Tanzanian Fabiano Joseph, fourth in 1:01:00.

Kiprotich told IAAF's Diego Sampaolo: "The weather conditions were perfect and the course was very fast and flat.

"I came here to improve on last year's third place and possibly to win. I realised that I could win with 7km to go when I launched my kick."