•Kipchumba improved on an eighth place finish in his last outing at the 2018 Valencia Half Marathon
•Stella Barsosio produced a dominant performance to win the women's marathon in Rotterdam, timing a personal best of 2:22:08
•It was also a Kenyan takeover at Venice Marathon as Anderson Seroi led a clean podium sweep in 2:12:21
Image: HANDOUT
Berlin Half Marathon champion Abel Kipchumba's late surge took him past pre-race favourite, and countryman, Rhonex Kipruto, to win the men's race at the Valencia Half Marathon.
Kipchumba timed 58:07 — a world lead for 2021 — whereas Kipruto clocked 58:09 to finish second, ahead of Daniel Mateiko (58:26).
Kennedy Kimtai (58:28) and Philemon Kiplimo (58:34) came fourth and fifth respectively to complete a 1-5 Kenyan finish as world 5000m champion, Ethiopian Mukhtar Edris clocked 58:40 with the top seven runner finishing inside 59 minutes.
"It is an honour to compete in this race and to win. I am grateful to the organisers for coming up with such a fast race. Winning in Valencia is everything I had hoped for even though I had previously won at the Berlin Half Marathon," Kipchumba said.
Rhonex, the 10km world record holder, seemed destined for the highest podium place until the last 20 metres when his compatriot's patience and determination bore off as he breezed past.
Taking one last glance behind him, Kipchumba raised his hands and fisted the air in ecstasy, happy to have improved on an eighth place finish in his last outing at the 2018 Valencia Half Marathon.
The RunCzech Racing athlete, who also pulled out of last year's Valencia Marathon, paid homage to Rhonex.
"He is a great runner who is hard to compete against. Last year during the Valencia Marathon, I had to pull out. But I decided that this year I would come and compete in the Half Marathon," he said.
In the women's race, 2016 Africa 5000m champion Sheila Chepkirui timed 1:04:54 to finish third behind new world half marathon record holder, Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey (1:02:52) and her countrywoman Yalemzerf Yehualaw (1:03:51).
Gidey's latest feat adds to her burgeoning reputation as a record-breaker, having already broken the women's 5000m, 10,000m and 15km marks.
Elsewhere, Stella Barsosio produced a dominant performance to win the women's race at the Rotterdam Marathon, timing a personal best of 2:22:08, ahead of Ukranian Nataliya Lehonkova (2:30:28) and another Kenyan, Bornes Kitur (2:30:41).
The 2019 Sydney Marathon champion improved on her second-place finish from the last time she competed in the Dutch city where she clocked 2:23:34.
In the men's category, Marius Kipserem recovered to claim second after burning out and losing the lead to Belgian-Somali Bashir Abdi, who came home in 2:03:35 — a European record.
Kipserem had broken away from the leading pack midway through the race in what later turned out to be a miscalculation as Abdi and Ethiopian Dawit Wolde caught up with him.
The two-time Rotterdam Marathon winner, however, had something to smile about as he clocked a personal best of 2:04:04 whereas Wolde finished third in 2:04:27.
It was also a Kenyan takeover at Venice Marathon as Anderson Seroi led a clean podium sweep in 2:12:21, ahead of Justus Kangogo (2:13:34) and Gilbert Kipleting (2:13:55).
"I tried my best and I am so happy to have come away with a win. It is my first time competing here and I would definitely want to come again," Seroi said.
In the women's marathon, Kenyan Marion Kibor finished second in 2:31:17, behind Ukranian Yaremchuk Sofiia (2:29:12) and ahead of Geletu Megertu (2:33:50).