Eliah Muturi Karanja takes the win in Prague (© organisers)
Kenya’s Eliah Muturi Karanja and Ethiopia’s Asha Roba Gigi overcame strong winds in the Czech capital on Saturday to claim top honors at the Hervis Prague Half Marathon, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race.
“It was very tough but God helped me win this race,” Karanja told Czech Television after crossing the finish line with a time of 1:02:08. “Wind was a big problem but I made it!”
Karanja’s fellow Kenyans Mugi G. Mahugu and Mark Tanui finished second and third, with respective times of 1:02:23 and 1:02:41. Tanui, the men’s pacemaker, was a surprise medalist.
Gigi topped the women’s field with a time of 1:12:00. Second and third place were claimed by Kenya’s Caroline Kwambai and Russian Yelena Sokolova who finished on 1:12:31 and 1:17:03, respectively.
Winds prevail over record assaults
Expectations for a new course record had been high going into the 10th anniversary edition of the race. But strong winds dashed any hopes for bettering the record men’s time of 1:01:00 set last year by Kenya´s Patrick Ivuti. The women’s record of 1:10:08, set by Kwambai in 2006, was also safe today.
Kenya’s Jackson Kiprono Kirwa had been tipped as the favorite this year. But after claiming the early lead with a blazing start, he fell behind to finish eighth with a time of 1:04:42.
Oskar Kack of Sweden was the fastest European runner, finishing 12th with a time of 1:07:38. The fastest Czech, David Gerych, finished 13th on 1:08:05.
“Despite the weather, I felt good with my running and I’m satisfied with my performance,” Gerych said.
Tereza Synácová for the IAAF
Leading Results:
MEN -
1. Elijah Muturi Karanja, KEN 1:02:08
2. G. Mugi Mahugu, KEN 1:02:23
3. Mark Tanui, KEN 1:02:41
4. Paul Biwott, KEN 1:02:58
5. H. Cheruyot Kosgei, KEN 1:02:59
6. W. Talel Kapkeny, KEN 1:03:11
7. Eliah Mbogo, KEN 1:03:59
8. J. Kiprono Kirwa, KEN 1:04:42
9. Julius Muriuki, KEN 1:05:06
10. Wilson Onsare, KEN 1:06:32
WOMEN -
1. Asha Roba Gigi, ETH 1:12:00
2. Caroline Kwambai, KEN 1:12:31
3. Yelena Sokolova, RUS 1:17:03
4. Magdalini Gazea, GRE 1:17:20
5. Jana Klimesova, CZE 1:21:15
6. Jakab Eniko, ROU 1:23:20
7. Sarah Haines, GBR 1:23:58
8. Eva Stroblova, CZE 1:24:26
9. Anna Riberti, ITA 1:26:56
10. Birgit Kretzschmar, GER 1:27:28
