Duncan Kibet (KEN) wins at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon (© Victah Sailer)
San Jose, California, USAIdeal running conditions greeted the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose Sunday morning (8 October), setting the stage for strong performances by both the men’s and women’s fields.
Newcomer Duncan Kibet, 28, of Kenya won after setting a blistering pace en route to the second fastest half marathon time ever on American soil, covering the 13.1-mile course in a time of 60:22. His time trails only that of running legend Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia who shattered the world record when he ran 58:55 earlier this year (Jan. 15, 2006, P.F Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona, Tempe, AZ.).
On the women’s side Silvia Skvortsova, 31, of Russia won a two-woman battle when she pulled away over the final mile and crossed the finish line in a personal best 69:17. Kenyan Edna Kiplagat, 26, who was competing in her third half marathon in the last five weeks, was second in 69:32, a personal best.
MEN's race
Kibet took off like a shot from the start line, taking fellow Kenyan William Chebon, 23, with him. The two stuck together through the first three miles and methodically opened a commanding lead, with the first 5k at 13:40, well under World record pace.
After mile four Kibet took control, dropping Chebon as they passed under the historic San Pedro Square arch and maintaining the impressive pace, passing the 10k mark at 27:45. Sensing he had the race in hand, Kibet slowed his pace over the final miles and cruised alone to the finish line.
“I expected to run fast here, but I was worried (early in the race) that the pack would catch me,” Kibet said. “I was happy with my time and the course was very fast.”
American Meb Keflezighi, the Olympic Marathon silver medallist suffered a hamstring cramp heading into the 11th mile and decided to pull off the course at that point, saving himself for the New York Marathon (5 Nov).
WOMEN's race
The women stayed in a pack of six early on but by mile seven it was down to three, with Magdalene Makunzi a step behind Skvortsova and Kiplagat. Makunzi was dropped by mile eight and it was a two-woman race from there. The women jockeyed back and forth, neither one ever more than 10 metres ahead of the other until the final mile.
“This was a surprise for me,” said Skvortsova, who crossed the finish line with a large smile on her face. “I was thinking Edna was the winner until the last mile. She was helpful for me.“
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon attracted nearly 12,000 entrants in its first year.
Ian Monahan for the IAAF
RESULTS
Men
1, Duncan Kibet, 28, Kenya, 1:00:22,
2, William Chebon, 23, Kenya, 1:01:07,
3, Reuben Chebii, 24, Kenya, 1:01:56,
4, Luke Kipkosgei, 30, Kenya, 1:02:08,
5, Nicodemus Malakwen, 25, Kenya, 1:02:21
6, Joseph Chirlee, 25 Kenya, 1:02:22,
7, Ernest Meli Kimeli, 20, Kenya, 1:02:31
8, Charles Kiama, 20, Kenya, 1:03:39,
9, Julius Limo, 28, Kenay, 1:03:40,
10, Davis Kabiru, 23, Kenya, 1:04:52,
Women
1, Silvia Skortsova, 31, Russia, 1:09:17,
2, Edna Kiplagat, 26, Kenya, 1:09:32,
3, Magdalene Makunzi, 23, Kenya, 1:10:05,
4, Nuta Olaru, 36, Romania, 1:10:35,
5, Anne Jelegat, 37, Kenya, 1:12:00,
6, Jen Rhines, 32, USA, 1:12:09,
7, Takami Ominami, 30, Japan, 1:12:44,
8, Lucy Njeri, 28, Kenya, 1:12:59,
9, Yimenashu Taye, 27, Ethiopia, 1:14:18,
10, Mercy Cheburet, 21, Kenya, 1:14:44,
