Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh will face off in the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon, a prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label road race in Chonburi, Thailand, this Sunday.
Both athletes have impressive records in the half marathon. Yeshaneh set a world record of 1:04:31 in 2020, which Chepngetich broke with her 1:04:02 performance in Istanbul a year later.
In their three previous half marathon encounters, Yeshaneh won twice, including their most recent race in Buenos Aires, where she finished in 1:06:10, with Chepngetich taking third place.
Chepngetich, who started the year with a win at the Nagoya Marathon in 2:18:08, recently secured second place in the Chicago Marathon, recording the seventh-fastest marathon time in history at 2:15:37.
She also claimed podium finishes in two half marathons this year. Meanwhile, Yeshaneh has raced less frequently, finishing fourth at the Boston Marathon in April before her victory in Buenos Aires.
The competition isn’t limited to just these two athletes. Sheila Chepkirui, a former track specialist, comes off a strong marathon performance in Berlin, where she finished second in 2:17:49. Other contenders include Degitu Azimeraw and Angela Tanui, both capable of impressive times in the half marathon.
On the men’s side, Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura, the 2021 Chicago Marathon champion, leads the field with a PB of 58:36. Nobert Kipkoech Kigen and Amos Kipruto, both experienced marathoners, also aim to perform well in the half marathon.
With such a high-caliber field, the course record of 1:07:45 (set by Hellen Obiri) for the women and 1:01:56 (set by Josphat Kemei) for the men could be under threat, depending on the race conditions.
Leading entries
Women
Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 1:04:02
Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 1:04:31
Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 1:04:36
Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 1:06:07
Angela Tanui (KEN) 1:07:16
Charlotte Purdue (GBR) 1:08:10
Men
Seifu Tura (ETH) 58:36
Nobert Kipkoech Kigen (KEN) 59:42
Amos Kipruto (KEN) 1:00:24
Tsegay Getachew (ETH) 1:01:51
Enock Onchari (KEN) debut
