Thirteen years after winning his senior debut at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, Geoffrey Kamworor returned to the UAE roads and delivered another masterclass, clocking 58:14 — 40 seconds faster than his 2013 victory.
At 33, and the oldest athlete in the elite men’s field, Kamworor proved that experience, patience, and precision can still overpower youth.
Kamworor followed training partner Edwin Kipsaisak through a series of kilometres whose times ranged between the first in 2min 44sec, and the next half dozen between 2.45 and 2.49 – fast enough to discourage the young pursuers from trying to dislodge Kamworor from the shoulder of one of his training partners.
Behind him, Birhanu Balew (Bahrain) and Kenyan debutant Gideon Rono fought bravely but could only secure second and third in 58:23 and 58:38 respectively.
‘Actually, I knew I was going to win around 14k,’ said Kamworor.
‘I knew I’d prepared well, I came here wanting to run a fast time, and Edwin did a great job of pacing. It’s great to come back and win even faster,’ added the three-time world half-marathon and triple world cross country champion.
The women’s race unfolded tactically without a pacemaker.
Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri took early responsibility at the front, pushing the tempo but ultimately paying the price. With two kilometers remaining, Ethiopia’s Melknat Wudu and debutante Asmarech Anley surged past her.
Anley, racing her first half marathon, displayed remarkable composure.
“I realized I could win with one kilometer to go,” she said. “The times might have been faster with a pacemaker, but it doesn’t matter — I won.”
The former 2023 African junior 3000m champion crossed the line in 67:22, ahead of Wudu (67:27) and Shauri (67:32). Despite her success, Anley dismissed immediate marathon ambitions, preferring to gain more half-marathon experience first.
Top results men
- Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) – 58:14
- Birhanu Balew (BRN) – 58:23
- Gideon Rono (KEN) – 58:38
- Jemal Mekonen (ETH) – 58:55
- Samwel Masai (KEN) – 58:59
- Benjamin Ratsim (TAN) – 59:56
- Jirata Dinki (ETH) – 59:57
- Yismaw Dillu (ETH) – 60:05
- Brian Kibor (KEN) – 60:07
- Mao Ako (TAN) – 60:20
Top results women
- Asmarech Anley (ETH) – 67:22
- Melknat Wudu (ETH) – 67:27
- Magdalena Shauri (TAN) – 67:32
- Jesca Chelangat (KEN) – 67:33
- Cynthia Chepkwony (KEN) – 67:35
- Aselef Kassie (ETH) – 67:47
- Gete Alemayehu (ETH) – 68:43
- Margret Chacha (KEN) – 68:57
- Emebet Kebede (ETH) – 69:11
- Addise Cheklu (ETH) – 70:01
