Press Release - Association of International Marathons - 10/14/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Florence Kiplagat Honored With The AIMS World Record Award

The Kenyan runner, who established a new world feminine record in half 
marathon at the eDreams Mitja Marató de Barcelona 2014, was presented with 
the "AIMS World Record Award" at an event held during the Chicago marathon.

14.10.14 Last Friday October 10th, the Association of International 
Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), entity created by more than 370 long 
distance races in more than 100 countries around the world, honored 
Florence Kiplagat with the AIMS World Record award in recognition of her 
world record in half marathon.

The 27 years old Kenyan runner achieved the world record during her 
participation at the eDreams Mitja Marató de Barcelona, held last February 
16th, when she stopped the clock at 1.05.12. Thus, Kiplagat chopped 38 
seconds off the old world record set by her compatriot Maria Keitany at the 
half marathon of Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) in 2011, set in 1.05.50. Florence 
Kiplagat achieved as well the world record for 20km distance (1.01.56), 
record which was also in possession of the Kenyan Maria Keitany (2011) up 
to that day. 

The ceremony to present her the award recognizing the athlete's world 
record was organized last weekend taking advantage of her participation in 
the Chicago marathon. The commemorative plate was handed out by the Race 
Director and AIMS member, Mr. Carey Pinkowski. Kiplagat showed her 
thankfulness to the organizers: "I'm honored to receive this award of AIMS 
and all their members around the world. I want to show it with my 
gratitude, I'm very happy". On the other side, Paco Borao, AIMS president, 
entity who hands out this award since 1985, highlighted the qualities of 
the Kenyan runners and the level of the Spanish races. "We are delighted to 
present Florence Kiplagat with this award. She is an exceptional athlete 
and we are pleased to be able to recognize the great feat she achieved. I'm 
glad to see how the Spanish races are positioning themselves technically 
among the most prestigious around the world, and the eDreams Mitja Marató 
de Barcelona, is one of them". 

                                   ###