FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The World's Fastest Half Marathon is back in Ras Al Khaimah!
The thirteenth edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon once again
promises fierce racing and quick times, with breath-taking men's and
women's fields lining up for the race on 8th February. The race which
statistically can claim to be the world's fastest half marathon, is this
year to be staged partially on the brand-new man-made Al Marjan Island
complex, possibly an even faster circuit than in previous years.
The bar has been set incredibly high in the last two editions of the Ras Al
Khaimah event, as last year Bedan Karoki of Kenya retained his title from
2017 (59:10), storming to a 58:42 clocking and leading six others under
sixty minutes, while fellow Kenyan Fancy Chemutai missed the
three-month-old women's world record by one second with her 64:52 clocking
in a memorable clash with legendary Mary Keitany.
Topping this year's men's line-up is Ethiopia's Abadi Hadis, who at just 20
last October, was third at the Valencia Half in 58:44, in only his second
outing over 21.1km. His fabulous track times at 5,000m and 10,000m plus his
Cross Country pedigree, single him out as a genuine all-round racer, and if
his 2018 form on road and track is maintained, he will be the one to beat.
Behind the young Ethiopian however, on times at least, is a host of top
Kenyans and fellow Ethiopians, covering between them an enticing mix of
youth and experience. Jorum Okombo is one of the former, placing fourth
last year (59:36) when just 20, but with a 58:48 best when runner-up in
Copenhagen 2017. Despite a string of fast times over the last two years, he
has yet to win a half marathon, so perhaps arrives a little hungrier than
most.
The experienced Alex Korio has been consistently under the magical
60-minute barrier in recent years, while fellow Kenyan Daniel Kipchumba,
after winning his debut half in Italy last April, went on to win the
Copenhagen Half last September in 59:06, and was again under the hour in
New Delhi in October.
While not yet a sub-60 minute performer, much attention will be focused
upon Switzerland's latest road sensation Julien Wanders. Spending much of
the year training in Kenya, the 22 year old set a 27:25 European 10km
record in Paris on December 30th, and with his 60:09 half marathon best
last February, is perfectly poised to become just the fifth European ever
to break the one hour mark.
The Women's race, so sensational last year, promises equal drama. The 2017
champion Peres Jepchirchir, in a then world record of 65:06, returns from
becoming a mother, and while she may struggle to match the dramatic
consistency of her 2016 racing year and the subsequent world record in Ras
Al Khaimah, there is justifiable excitement about her return to the big
time.
Equally keenly anticipated, is the appearance of reigning world half
marathon champion Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia, who's win in Valencia last
March not only gave her global gold but was a Women's Only World Record.
The yawning winning margin behind her and the fact that she won all three
of her half marathon contests in 2018, and furthermore can boast remarkable
consistency over the last four years, suggests there is more to come.
A first home win is possible through the UAE's own Alia Mohammed Saeed,
who's best time of 66:13 came in her debut and so far only outing over
21.1km, in Valencia last October; she was a close runner-up there and her
three wins out of three in road 10km races last year, suggest her
competitive instincts are finely honed.
Trying to stop her, will be a brace of former youngsters from her former
home in Ethiopia. Although only 20 last June, Zeineba Yimer ran five half
marathons in 2018, each of them of high quality, and they included a fine
fifth place at the world championships in March (68:07), followed by a
brace of much quicker runs in September's Copenhagen race (66:21 pb) and
New Delhi (66:59). Not having raced since that latter outing in October,
should see her in fresh and ready-to-race mood. Throw in Degitu Azimeraw
who also has just one half marathon to her name, and the challenge is
clear. The winner of her first international race in Kolkata, a 25km just
over a year ago, she was sixth in Ras Al Khaimah last year, her one and
only half marathon ever, in a fine 66:47, to place just outside the world
top ten for the year.
With larger mass entry numbers than ever before, the thirteenth edition of
the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, promises the usual comprehensive mix of
supreme elite racing, a joyous running experience for the thousands behind
them, and quick times for all on the new circuit which has very negligible
rise throughout its entire length.
NAME NAT PB NAME NAT PB
Abadi Hadis ETH 58:44 Peres Jepchirchir KEN 65:06
Jorum Okombo KEN 58:48 Netsanet Gudeta ETH 66:11
Alex Korio KEN 58:51 Alia Mohammed Saeed UAE 66:13
Daniel Kipchumba KEN 59:06 Zeineba Yimer ETH 66:21
Stephen Kiprop KEN 59:21 Senbere Teferi ETH Debut
Fikadu Haftu ETH 59:22 Degitu Azmeraw ETH 66:47
Amedework Walelegn ETH 59:22 Delvine Meringor KEN 67:48
Benard Ngeno KEN 59:22 Valary Jemeli Aiyabei KEN 67:50
Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo KEN 59:28 Naom Jebet KEN 68:22
Abel Kipchumba KEN 59:29 Etagegn Woldu ETH 69:20
Lelisa Desisa ETH 59:30
Morris Gachaga KEN 59:36
Mule Wasihun ETH 59:44
Kaan Kigen Ozbilen TUR 59:58
Asefa Tefera ETH 60:07
Julien Wanders SUI 60:09
Gabriel Geay TAN 60:26
Sisay Lema ETH 62:06
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