Kenyan athletes Gladys Chepkurui and Mathew Kimeli triumphed at the World Athletics Platinum Label Bangsaen21 Half Marathon in Chonburi, Thailand, on Sunday.
Despite challenging weather, Chepkurui clinched the women’s title with a time of 1:09:46, outpacing fellow Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui by 17 seconds.
In the men’s category, Kimeli narrowly secured his win, timing at 1:03:39, just six seconds faster than Ethiopian contender Tsegaye Getachew.
Sheila Chepkirui, this year’s Berlin Marathon runner-up, initially led with Ruth Chepngetich, 2019’s world marathon champion.
They were ahead early on but Chepkurui managed to bridge the gap, overtaking Chepkirui in the closing stages. Angela Tanui, 2021’s Amsterdam Marathon winner, claimed the third spot with a time of 1:11:08, while Chepngetich trailed in fourth at 1:11:51.
On the men’s side, Kimeli was part of a leading group that included last year’s London Marathon champion, Amos Kipruto.
They were tested when Getachew increased the pace, but Kimeli overcame the challenge, eventually taking the lead and securing the victory. Kipruto finished third at 1:03:52, and Nobert Kipkoech Kigen came in fourth with a time of 1:04:35.
The race was a display of endurance and strategy, with the Kenyan athletes showcasing their dominance in the long-distance running scene.
Leading results
Women
1 Gladys Chepkurui (KEN) 1:09:46
2 Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 1:10:03
3 Angela Tanui (KEN) 1:11:08
4 Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 1:11:51
5 Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 1:12:36
Men
1 Mathew Kimeli (KEN) 1:03:39
2 Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) 1:03:45
3 Amos Kipruto (KEN) 1:03:52
4 Nobert Kipkoech Kigen (KEN) 1:04:35
5 Enock Onchari (KEN) 1:05:58
