News05 Dec 2013


World leaders head impressive fields at Delhi Half Marathon

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Women's elite field in Delhi (© Organisers)

The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on 15 December will have one of the best fields ever assembled for a Half-marathon race.

On the start-line next weekend will be the world-leading men and women from 2013 and 2012, three of the four most recent World Half-marathon champions, the defending champions from last year’s Delhi Half Marathon, and two talented distance runners who will be making their half-marathon debut.

“This elite field includes 11 men who have run under 60 minutes, of which four have run even below 59,” said elite athlete coordinator Jos Hermens. “Also present will be the world’s fastest man and woman of 2013 over the half marathon distance, and 12 athletes who have won medals at various World Championships and one World record-holder.

“In my opinion this shows the quality and depth of the field,” he added. “On a good day, with good weather circumstances, good pacemakers and athletes, big things are possible. We feel that with this elite field it’s possible to challenge both the course records of 59:15 for men and 66:54 for women and even to look further than that.”

Current world leader Geoffrey Kipsang clocked 58:54 when winning at the 2013 RAK Half, while Lucy Kabuu’s timing of 66:09 at the same race is the fastest of the year and the second-fastest ever on a legal course. Both Kenyans will be in Delhi looking for another fast race.

Other athletes to watch include defending champion Edwin Kipyego, Chicago Marathon champion Dennis Kimetto, 2010 World Half Marathon champion Wilson Kiprop, 2010 World Half bronze medallist Sammy Kitwara and 2012 world leader Atsedu Tsegay.

Kenya’s Vincent Chepkok, the 2011 World cross-country bronze medallist with PBs of 12:51.45 and 26:51.68 for 5000m and 10,000m, will be making his debut over the distance.

In the women’s race, Kabuu will face stiff competition from defending champion Wude Ayalew, World 10,000m silver medallist Gladys Cherono, 2010 World Half Marathon champion and 2009 World cross-country champion Florence Kiplagat, two-time World cross-country champion Emily Chebet and 2012 World Half Marathon champion Meseret Hailu.

Ethiopia’s Sentayehu Ejigu, the 2010 World indoor 3000m bronze medallist and one of the fastest women of all time over 5000m, will be contesting her first ever Half-marathon race following a promising 31:33 clocking in Boston in October.

Organisers for the IAAF

ELITE FIELD (with PBs)

Men
Atsedu Tsegay (ETH) 58:47
Sammy Kitwara (KEN) 58:48
Geoffrey Kipsang (KEN) 58:54
Stephen Kibet (KEN) 58:54
Kenneth Kipkemoi (KEN) 59:11
Dennis Kimetto (KEN) 59:14
Wilson Kiprop (KEN) 59:15
Robert Chemosin (KEN) 59:19
Pius Kirop (KEN) 59:25
Daniel Chebii (KEN) 59:49
Leonard Langat (KEN) 59:52
Edwin Kipyego (KEN) 1:00:04
Yakob Jarso (ETH) 1:00:07
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI) 1:00:09
Nicholas Kipkemboi (KEN) 1:00:15
Nicholas Kemboi (KEN) 1:00:27
Philemon Rono (KEN) 1:00:39
Nguse Amlosom (ETH) 1:00:46
Richard Mengich (KEN) 1:00:48
Leonard Korir (KEN) 1:01:19
Alex Korio (KEN) 1:01:34
Gladwin Mzazi (RSA) 1:01:38
Vincent Chepkok (KEN) debut

Women
Lucy Kabuu (KEN) 1:06:09
Florence Kiplagat (KEN) 1:06:38
Gladys Cherono (KEN) 1:06:48
Meseret Hailu (ETH) 1:06:56
Paskalia Kipkoech (KEN) 1:07:17
Lineth Chepkurui (KEN) 1:07:47
Wude Ayalew (ETH) 1:07:58
Emily Chebet (KEN) 1:08:20
Nadia Ejjafini (ITA) 1:08:27
Waganesh Mekasha (ETH) 1:08:48
Lyudmyla Kovalenko (UKR) 1:08:57
Yebrgual Melese (ETH) 1:09:02
Malika Asahssah (MAR) 1:09:11
Lishan Dula (ETH) 1:12:10
Sule Utura (ETH) 1:13:24
Sentayehu Ejigu (ETH) debut

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