New Delhi: Rio Olympics marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge lived up to expectations, winning the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon within an hour but failed to break the course record here on a cold Sunday morning.
The 32-year-old Kenyan took 59 minute and 44 seconds to finish the race ahead of Ethiopia’s Yigrem Demelash, who clocked his personal best of 59:48 and compatriot Augustine Choge (60:01).
In the women’s section, favourite Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya flopped as Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa won the elite crown in one hour seven minutes and 42 seconds. Fellow Ethiopian Ababel Yeshanesh, who was 10 seconds slower than Degefa, came second ahead of Helah Kiprop (1:08:11) of Kenya. Jepchirchir was fifth.
Kipchoge was impressive from the word go on a sunny yet cold morning and kept the lead till the end while his friend and compatriot Choge was hot on his heels. Choge started to fall behind with around four kilometres to go as Kipchoge and Demelash went neck-and-neck till the closing stage.
Kipchoge increased the pace from around the 19.5 kilometre mark, leaving the Ethiopian trailing in his wake. The Kenyan continued to accelerate from there and went on to secure the win.
Lakshmanam, Monika best indians
Armyman G. Lakshmanan emerged on top among Indian men’s elite athletes with a timing of one hour, four minutes and 37 seconds while Monika Athare took the Indian women’s elite section crown with her personal best time of one hour, 15 minutes and 34 seconds.
