World half marathon record holders Peres Jepchirchir and Kibiwott Kandie have been included in the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) half marathon set for February 19th 2020.
Following their exploits in half marathons this year, two time world half marathon champion Jepchirchir will renew her rivalry with world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei (64:49) Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh (64:31) and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (64:46), world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich (65:06) and USA’s Sara Hall (68:18).
Chepngetich will be making her debut in RAK with Jepchirchir, who won the world half marathon title in October in a women-only world record of 65:16, will return to the scene of her 2017 triumph when she set a world record of 65:06.
Defending champion Kandie, who broke the world record at the Valencia Half marathon (57:32) two weeks ago will be facing off with 2019 champion Stephen Kiprop and two-time winner Bedan Karoki, who jointly hold the course record at 58:42.
The Kenyan trio will be chasing the title alongside 2015 winner Mosinet Geremew, world half marathon champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, Alexander Mutiso, who ran 57:59 in Valencia to move to fourth on the world all-time list, will also be in action in RAK as well as Switzerland’s Julien Wanders and Norway’s Sondre Nordstadt Moen complete the line-up.
Elite field
Men
- Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 57:32
- Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 57:37
- Alexander Mutiso (KEN) 57:59
- Bedan Karoki (KEN) 58:42
- Stephen Kiprop (KEN) 58:42
- Mosinet Geremew (ETH) 59:11
- Julien Wanders (SUI) 59:13
- Sondre Nordstadt Moen (NOR) 59:48
Women
- Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 1:04:31
- Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 1:04:46
- Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 1:04:49
- Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 1:05:06
- Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 1:05:06
- Sara Hall (USA) 1:08:18
Source: World Athletics