Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge wins Delhi Half Marathon

Reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya won the men’s race of the Delhi Half Marathon in India, while Ethiopia’s Worknesh Degefa clinched the women’s title on Sunday.

32-year-old Kipchoge clocked 59 minutes and 44 seconds, ahead of Ethiopia’s Yigrem Demelash, who clocked his personal best of 59:48, in a close finish. Another Kenyan Augustine Choge was third in 60:01.

Kipchoge returns to win Delhi Half Marathon https://t.co/dIa65XFNlo via CapitalFMSport

— Capital FM Kenya (CapitalFMKenya) November 20, 2016

Kipchoge who was running in his first competitive race after winning Rio Olympics marathon gold in August, was clearly the pre-event favourite in men’s elite race but many had thought he would lower the course record of 59:06 set by Guye Adola of Ethiopia in 2014.

In the women’s elite race, Degefa clocked one hour, seven minutes and 42 seconds to clinch the title ahead of fellow Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh (1:07:52) and Helah Kiprop (1:08:11) of Kenya. Reigning half marathon world champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya was fifth with a timing of 1:08:28.

Leading Results:

MEN –

Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 59:44
Yigrem Demelash (ETH) 59:48
Augustine Choge (KEN) 1:00:01
Ronald Kirui (KEN) 1:01:43
Sibusiso Nzima (RSA) 1:01:44
Ezekiel Chepkorom (UGA) 1:01:46
Alphonce Felix Sambu (TAN) 1:01:59
Elias Kibret (ETH) 1:02:00
Jackson Kiprop (UGA) 1:02:46
G Lakshmanan (IND) 1:04:37

WOMEN –

Worknesh Degefa (ETH) 1:07:42
Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 1:07:52
Helah Kiprop (KEN) 1:08:11
Gladys Chesir (KEN) 1:08:23
Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 1:08:28
Mary Wacera (KEN) 1:09:06
Gelete Burka (ETH) 1:09:32
Netsanet Gudeta (ETH) 1:10:05
Rose Chelimo (BRN) 1:10:17
Afera Godfay (ETH) 1:13:49