Rated as the fastest course, where athletes set world records, the 2018 Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) assembled the best runners in the world as Kenyans Fancy Chemutai and Bedan Karoki missed the world record in a race ran today morning in United Arab Emirates.
Chebet led a 1-5 all Kenyan finishers with both Chebet and Karoki breaking course records in an all time fastest race.
Women and men’s champions Chebet and Karoki ran 64:53 58:42 and failed to break the world record by two seconds (64:51 currently held by Joyciline Jepkosgei) and 19 seconds (58:23 currently held Zersenay Tadese) respectively.
After losing last year’s Valencia half marathon to Jepkosgei, it was good for Chebet who set a revenge against her when the later came 5th.
Hard working Chebet beat former world half marathon record holder Mary Keitany (64:55) who returned second as top athletes are set for world half marathon championships in Valencia in March.
Keitany has second for the year’s consecutively on the course she set her world record at 65:13.
Caroline Kipkirui completed the podium in 65:07 before Joan Chelimo came in fourth clocking 65:37, Jepkosgei 6th in 66:46 and the first Ethiopian Dejitu Asires was in sixth position at 66:47.
Karoki’s win was more comfortable in the men’s race followed by Ethiopian Jemal Yimer.
Being in the national team ahead of world half marathon, Karoko clocked 58:42 followed by Yimer’s 59:00 and Alex Kibet completed the podium in 59:06.
Jorum Okombo Lumbasi, who will head to Valencia, running in the national team for the first time was 4th timing 59:36 followed by Morris Gachaga (59:36) and Wilfred Kimitei (59:40) in sixth place.
Leading results
Women
- Fancy Chebet-(KEN)-64:52
- Mary Keitany- (KEN)-64:55
- Caroline Kipkirui-(KEN)-65:07
- Joan Chelimo- (KEN)-65:37
- Joyciline Jepkosgei-(KEN)-66:46
- Dejitu Asires-(ETH)-66:47
Men
- Bedan Karoki (KEN)-58:42
- Jemal Yimer (ETH)-59:00
- Alex Kibet (KEN)-59:06
- Jorum Lumbasi (KEN)-59:36
- Morris Gachaga (KEN)-59:36
- Wilfred Kimitei (KEN)-59:40