• Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha placed second in 58:32 as another Kenyan Daniel Mateiko settled for third in 58:40.
• Meanwhile, at the Ljubljana Marathon, Ethiopia's Gebretsadik Adihana won the men's race in 2:06:09 to relegate Kenya's Langat Leonard to third in 2:08:04, behind another Ethiopian, Tesfay Ghebreab (2:07:12).
Image: FILE
The 2021 N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon champion Kibiwott Kandie has said he is happy to have achieved his target after winning the 31st Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on Sunday.
Kandie, who was in the leading pack from the start, distanced himself from the lead pack with the clock reading 36:34. He went on to beat the strong field to win in 58:11. His time is the second fastest in the world this year.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha placed second in 58:32 as another Kenyan Daniel Mateiko settled for third in 58:40.
Other Kenyans in the race were Kennedy Kimutai (fifth-59:04), Sebastian Sawe (sixth-59:23), Ronald Kirui (seventh-1:00:10), Isaac Kipkemboi (eighth-1:00:11), Edward Cheserek (ninth-1:00:13) and Weldon Langat (10th-1:00:28)
"I didn't come to Valencia to break the (world) record. Just to run a great race and win it, and that's what I achieved,” said Kandie.
However, Kandie revealed that the weather was unfavourable for him but he had tactics to manage it. "I was in a good rhythm but I felt too much humidity so I didn't push myself to my limits because I preferred to arrive safely,” he said.
Konstanze Klosterhalfen won the women's category, with a time of 1:05:41, a spectacular time by the German athlete, who was also making her debut. Her time is the third best in the history of European women.
"I am very surprised and excited about what I have achieved today. In the next half marathon, I will striving to improve on my time. I chose Valencia because I wanted to run a fast course after seeing the results of previous editions. I couldn't have chosen a better race to start with,” Klosterhalfen said.
"I would have liked to repeat the last three kilometres to improve my time because I think they can be improved. In the next race I will work on that and hopefully I will be able to beat the German record (Melat Yisak Kejeta 1:05:18 ).
Ethiopian duo of Tsigie Gebreselama (1:05:45) and Hawi Feysa (1:06:00) placed second and third respectively.
Kenyans in the race faltered as Agnes Ngolo crossed the finish line in fourth in 1:06:38 while world 10,000m bronze medallist Margaret Chelimo 1:06:50 for fifth. Irine Kimais (seventh-1:07:11), Purity Komen (ninth-1:07:29) and Vicoty Chepngeno (10th-1:07:55) sealed the top ten placed.
Meanwhile, at the Ljubljana Marathon, Ethiopia's Gebretsadik Adihana won the men's race in 2:06:09 to relegate Kenya's Langat Leonard to third in 2:08:04, behind another Ethiopian, Tesfay Ghebreab (2:07:12).
Janet Ruguru was the best placed Kenyan in the women's race after timing 2:25:34 for third.
Ethiopian Dagne Siranesh (2:21:07) led compatriot Sentayehu Lewetegn (2:22:35) in a 1-2 finish.