Kenya’s Beatrice Cheserek took down the women course record at the Gutenberg Mainz Half Marathon on Sunday (10) in Gutenberg, Germany.
Cheserek took the women’s race in a time of 1:08.02 with Germany’s Dörfel securing a strong second place, significantly improving her personal best. The 24-year-old crossed the line in 68:06, making her the sixth-fastest German ever over the half-marathon distance. Ethiopian Emebet Kebede Dessie followed in third with 69:01.
“We are very pleased that we were able to break both course records for the third time. A winning time of sub one hour is of course something special. With that result we are currently the eleventh-fastest half marathon in the world this year – that is quite an achievement,” said Race Director Jo Schindler. The organisers had registered 12,960 entries for the half marathon. Including races at shorter distances over 17,500 athletes were registered.
Kenya’s Joan Chepleting had initially broken away from the leading group in the early stages. However she was over paced and was unable to hold on. Shortly before the 10k mark she was caught by the group behind her. A duel then developed between the favourite, Beatrice Cheserek, and the surprisingly strong Blanka Dörfel. In the final kilometres the Kenyan, who was also the fastest runner on the start list with a personal best of 66:48, opened a gap and won the race.
“I am delighted with this victory. My next goal is to run in the World Half Marathon Championships and after that I plan to run an autumn marathon,” said Beatrice Cheserek. Clocking 68:02 in Mainz she improved the former course record of 68:52 significantly.
LEADING RESULTS
- Beatrice Cheserek (KEN) 1:08.02
- Blanka Dörfel (GER) 1:08.06
- Emebet Dessie. (ETH) 1:09.01
- Orba Chemurgor (KEN) 1:09.21
- Joan Chepleting (KEN) 1:07.03
- Margaret Monicah (KEN) 1:11.32