Alex Nzioka Matata wins the Meishan Renshou Half Marathon (© Organisers)
Kenya’s Alex Nzioka Matata and Miriam Chebet delivered record-breaking performances at the Yangzhou Half Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on Sunday (29).
Both athletes set course records, marking the third consecutive year that Kenyan runners have swept the elite titles in Yangzhou.
Matata successfully defended his title in emphatic fashion, taking 20 seconds off the course record he set last year by clocking 59:11. The 27-year-old’s winning time also improved his PB of 59:20, set in Ras Al-Khaimah last year, and stands as a Chinese all-comers’ record.
Matata now owns the three fastest half marathon performances ever recorded on Chinese soil.
Victory in Yangzhou continues a remarkable run of form for the Kenyan, coming just two weeks after his win at the Meishan Renshou Half Marathon in 59:51. Still relatively new to the international circuit, Matata made his debut less than two years ago and has now broken 60 minutes in 10 of his 13 half marathon appearances.
Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer finished second in 59:30, while Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba completed the podium in 59:57.
Chebet was similarly impressive in the women’s race, pulling away in the latter stages to win in 1:06:27, taking 38 seconds off the course record.
The Kenyan finished just 20 seconds shy of her lifetime best of 1:06:07, set in Istanbul last year, as she continued her strong start to the season, following a 30:08 performance over 10km in Valencia in January.
Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray Bezabh took second place in 1:07:02, with Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui finishing third in 1:07:15.
Leading results
Women
1 Miriam Chebet (KEN) 1:06:27
2 Ftaw Zeray Bezabh (ETH) 1:07:02
3 Gladys Chepkurui (KEN) 1:07:15
4 Wede Kefale Belew (ETH) 1:07:38
5 Megertu Alemu Kebede (ETH) 1:09:42
6 Stella Chesang (UGA) 1:09:45
Men
1 Alex Nzioka Matata (KEN) 59:11
2 Jemal Yimer Mekonen (ETH) 59:30
3 Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba (KEN) 59:57
4 Santiago Catrofe (URU) 1:00:58
5 Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) 1:02:07
6 Jiang Fakun (CHN) 1:03:09
