Geoffrey Kamworor wins the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (© Organisers)
Geoffrey Kamworor produced a commanding performance to win the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon – a World Athletics Gold Label road race – in 58:14 on Saturday (8), returning to the event 13 years after his first victory there.
The 33-year-old Kenyan, a multiple world champion at the half marathon and cross country, controlled the race from the early stages, running behind pacemaker and training partner Edwin Kipsaisak through the opening kilometres before gradually breaking the field apart.
After passing 10km in 27:42, Kamworor began to assert his dominance in the latter stages of the race. A decisive surge between 16km and 17km ensured he would not be challenged as he went on to win by nine seconds.
Birhanu Balew of Bahrain finished second in an Asian record of 58:23, while Kenya’s Gideon Rono placed third in 58:38.
“Actually, I knew I was going to win around 14km,” said Kamworor, who came within 13 seconds of the PB he set in 2019. “I knew I’d prepared well and I came here wanting to run a fast time. It’s great to come back and win even faster.”
Kamworor’s victory continues a remarkable second chapter in his career following the serious leg injury he suffered in a road accident in 2020. The Kenyan, who has also won the New York Marathon twice, now turns his attention to the London Marathon later this year.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Asmarech Anley won on her half marathon debut, clocking 1:07:22 after making her decisive move in the closing kilometres.
Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri had led much of the race in the absence of a pacemaker, but she was overtaken by Anley and Ethiopia’s Melknat Wudu with about two kilometres remaining. Wudu finished second in 1:07:27, with Shauri third in 1:07:32.
“This was my first half marathon,” said Anley. “I realised I could win with about a kilometre to go. The times might have been faster with a pacemaker, but I’m happy to win.”
Leading results
Women
1 Asmarech Anley (ETH) 1:07:22
2 Melknat Wudu (ETH) 1:07:27
3 Magdalena Shauri (TAN) 1:07:32
4 Jesca Chelangat (KEN) 1:07:33
5 Cynthia Chepkwony (KEN) 1:07:35
6 Aselef Kassie (ETH) 1:07:47
7 Gete Alemayehu (ETH) 1:08:43
8 Margret Chacha (KEN) 1:08:57
Men
1 Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 58:14
2 Birhanu Balew (BRN) 58:23
3 Gideon Rono (KEN) 58:38
4 Jemal Mekonen (ETH) 58:55
5 Samwel Masai (KEN) 58:59
6 Benjamin Ratsim (TAN) 59:56
7 Jirata Dinki (ETH) 59:57
8 Yismaw Dillu (ETH) 1:00:05
