Keitany, Kiptis reign at Olomouc

Former World Half Marathon record holder Kenya’s Mary Keitany shattered the course record by more than two minutes to win at Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon on Saturday in Czech Republic.

The men’s race was equally entertaining with Kenya’s Jopshat Kiptis stunning a rich field that included former World marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang and Olympic and World marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich from Uagnda.

Keitany clocked 1:06:38 for her eighth sub-67-minute performance for the distance. No other woman – including World record holder Florence Kiplagat, four-time World Half Marathon champion Lornah Kiplagat and marathon World record holder Paula Radcliffe – has bettered that mark on more than three occasions.

Kiptis achieved a big Personal Best of 1:00:21, but the quality of the field that he beat was more significant than his winning time.

The 33-year-old Keitany dictated the pace from the start and had a clear lead after just a few kilometres.

Paced by her husband Charles Koech, Keitany finished so fast that officials didn’t have time to get the women’s finishing tape in position.

The 2009 World Half Marathon champion crossed the line in 1:06:38 to take 2:15 off the course record that had been set by two-time World marathon champion Edna Kiplagat.

“It was a great race, I enjoyed it,” said Keitany, who has now won 17 of her 19 career half marathons.

In second, Rose Chelimo only missed her personal best by eleven seconds with her time of 1:08:33, while third-placed Angela Tanui ran her fastest ever with 1:08:41. Helah Kiprop ensured a Kenyan sweep of the top four positions, clocking 1:09:25.

Last year, Kenya’s Geoffrey Ronoh caused a sensation in beating his big-name compatriots Kipsang and current world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto. This time it was the turn of Kiptis to garner the plaudits in an action-packed race in Olomouc.

Kiptis not only left Kipsang and Kiprotich far behind but also a further seven runners with faster pre-race personal bests than the 21-year-old Kenyan.

Jonathan Maiyo finished runner-up in 1:00:32 while Cosmas Birech held on for third place in 1:01:01, more than a minute ahead of Felix Kandie in a race where Kenyan athletes filled the top five places.

Kipsang, who had been suffering from stomach problems and had to vomit during the race, trailed in fifth in 1:02:09 while Kiprotich was 10th in 1:03:07.

“I’m delighted to have set a personal best,” said Kiptis, whose winning time of 1:00:21 was only four seconds outside the course record.

WOMEN

1. Mary Keitany ( Kenya) 1:06.38 ‪#‎Course Record.
2. Rose Chelimo ( Kenya) 1:08.33
3. Angela Tanui ( Kenya) 1:08.41
4. Helan Kiprop ( Kenya) 1:09.25
5. Eunice Chumba ( Bahrain ) 1:10.50
6. Lucy Karimi ( Kenya) 1:11.33
7. Atsedu Habtamu ( Ethiopia) 1:11.47
8. Viola Jelagat ( Kenya) 1:12.35

MEN

1. Josphat Kiptis ( Kenya) 1:00.21
2. Jonathan Maiyo ( Kenya) 1:00.32
3. Cosmas Birech ( Kenya) 1:01.01
4. Felix Kandie ( Kenya) 1:02.05
5. Wilson Kipsang ( Kenya) 1:02.09
6. Atalay Yirsaw ( Ethiopia) 1:02.12
7. Polat Arikan ( Turkey) 1:02.12
8. Essa Rashed (Qatar) 1:02.25