Peres Jepchirchir has shattered the women-only half marathon record in Prague on Saturday morning. The 26-year-old Kenyan clocked 1:05:34 at the 21.1km race.
Jepchirchir smashed the previous record of 1:06:11 set by Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2018.
Breaking away from the small field just 20 minutes into the race, Jepchirchir set out on a ravaging pace over the 16.5-lap course in Prague’s Letna Park, passing 10 kilometres in 30:32. She slowed over the waning laps but still finished well under the previous mark.
“I was thinking to run maybe 1:04:50, but I’m so happy,” said Jepchirchir, who raced to the world half marathon title in 2016.
This is Jepchirchir’s second world record over the distance. She clocked 1:05:06 in a mixed race in Ras Al Khaimah in 2017, a record which stood for just under two months.
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Leaders have taken on various social media platforms to congratulate Jepchirchir for her victory. The Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga through his twitter congratulated her for making Kenya proud.
Congratulations Peres Jepchirchir on shattering the women-only half marathon world record. You have done ?? proud Hongera! pic.twitter.com/eJbVOUDhMi
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) September 5, 2020
Other leaders who have congragulated Jepchirchir include Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and senator Margaret Kamar.
Congratulations Peres Jepchirchir for setting a new 21.1km race world record at 1:05:34 in #PragueHalf #AllRunnersAreBeautiful. We are very proud of you! pic.twitter.com/5MzABTrthp
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 5, 2020
Am a proud kenyan today!??
A head of The previous record was at 1:06:11 by Ethiopia's Netsanet Gudeta in Valencia.
Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir sets a new 21.1km race record at 1:05:34 in Prague.
Congratulations are in order! pic.twitter.com/ombXwcqq3I
— Sen. Prof. Margaret J. Kamar. PHD, EGH (@KamarJMargaret) September 5, 2020
Other winners in the race are:
1 Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:34
2 Brenda Jepleting 1:07:07
3 Dorcas Kimeli 1:07:14
4 Edith Chelimo 1:07:16
5 Sheila Chepkirui 1:07:37
6 Vibian Chepkirui 1:09:09
In Men’s race, here are the results:
Men 21.1km
1 Kibiwott Kandie 58:37
2 Philemon Kiplimo 59:56
3 Benson Kipruto 1:00:06
4 Amos Kurgat 1:00:20
5 Felix Kipkoech 1:00:40
6 Timothy Kibet 1:00:47
