Kenyan Keitany breaks Half Marathon World Record in UAE

Submitted by Yomi Omogbeja on 18 February 2011 - 12:53pm

Kenya's Mary Jepkosgei Keitany today set a new women's Half Marathon world record with a time of One hour, five minutes and 50 seconds (65:50) at the 5th Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates.

Keitany, who was previously the second fastest woman in history with 1:06:36, slashed 35 seconds from the previous mark of 1:06:25 set by Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat at the 2007 World Half Marathon Championships in Udine, Italy.

The 29-year-old, who was also the 2009 World Half Marathon champion, debuted in marathon with a third place finish in 2:29:01 at the 2010 New York Marathon.

Two Ethiopians, Dire Tune (1:08:52) and Mare Dibaba (1:08:57) took the second and third positions respectively.

Ethiopian Deriba Merga won the men's race in a world leading time of 59:24 with Kenyans Bernard Kipyego (59:44) and Leonard Langat (59:52) second and third respectively.

Top Ten Results:

Position / Name / Nation / Prize Money / Time

Men

  1. Deriba Merga (ETH) $25k 59:25
  2. Bernard Kipyego (KEN) $12k 59:45
  3. Leonard Langat (KEN) $9k 59:52 PB
  4. John Kiprotich (KEN) $5k 1:00:10
  5. Titus Masai (KEN) $4k 1:00:40
  6. Getu Feleke (ETH) $3k 1:01:28
  7. Maregu Terefe (ETH) $2k 1:02:03
  8. Dickson Marwa (TAN) $1.5k 1:02:04
  9. Hafid Chani (MOR) $1k 1:02:23 pb
  10. Alemayehu Shumye (ETH) $500 1:02:58 PB

Women

  1. Mary Keitany (KEN) $25k + $50k WR 1:05:50 (WR)
  2. Dire Tune (ETH) $12k 1:08:52
  3. Mare Dibaba (ETH) $9k 1:08:57
  4. Rose Kosgei (KEN) $5k 1:09:04
  5. Agnes Kiprop (KEN) $4k 1:09:11
  6. Hilda Kibet (NED) $3k 1:09:35
  7. Sultan Haydar (TUR) $2k 1:10:02 debut
  8. Eunice Kales (KEN) $1.5k 1:10:41
  9. Christelle Daunay (FRA) $1k 1:11:14
  10. Aniko Kalovics (HUN) $500 1:13:45

Complete Race Results

 

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