Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei broke the world 10km record – dipping under 30 minutes – at the Birell Prague Grand Prix, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Kenyan clocked 29:43 to break her own world record of 30:04, also set in the Czech capital, at the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon on April 1st.
The performance marked the fifth world record of the year for Jepkosgei, who broke four -10km, 15km, 20km and the half marathon – en route to her victory at the Prague Half Marathon.
“I’m really pleased to have won today and managed to break a world record,” Jepkosgei said. “The whole race was really tough and I basically had my heart set on a record right from the start which really took it out of me. But I’m really happy to have succeeded.”
“Everything was going according to plan from the first kilometres; in fact it couldn’t have gone any better,” she said. “I’m pretty tired right now, but at the same time really satisfied.”
Behind her, compatriot Fancy Chemutai was second in 30:06, just two seconds outside of the previous world record for the third fastest time ever. Violah Jepchumba, last year’s winner, clocked 30:25 to finish third.
WATCH RACE VIDEO – Credit RunCzech
LEADING RESULTS
Women:
1. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 29:43
2. Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 30:06
3. Violah Jepchumba (BRN) 30:25
4. Sheila Chepkirui Kiprotich (KEN) 30:28
5. Stacy Chepkemboi Ndiwa (KEN) 31:37
6. Belaynesh Tsegaye (ETH) 32:52
7. Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová (CZE) 33:08
8. Iulia Shmatenko (UKR) 33:18
9. Olga Skrypak (UKR) 34:01
Men:
1. Benard Kimeli (KEN) 27:10
2. Methew Kipkorir Kimeli (KEN) 27:11
3. Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 27:13
4. Justus Kangogo (KEN) 27:51
5. Amos Kibiwot Kurgat (KEN) 27:53
6. Jamal Yimer Mekonnen (ETH) 27:54
7. Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) 27:55
8. Isaac Kipkoech Langat (KEN) 27:55
9. Robert Kipchichir Mwei (KEN) 28:05
10. Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 28:06