Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie destroyed the field to bag the 2022 Valencia Half Marathon title on Sunday, October 23.
Kibiwott ran shoulder to shoulder with a number of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners before taking control in the final stages of the race.
He broke away from the leading pack and turned on the screw to win the race in a time of 58.11.
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Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha crossed the finishing line in 58:32 to settle for a second-place position ahead of Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko.
The latter clocked 58:40 to finish third after outpacing Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku who was making his half marathon debut.
The Kenyan duo of Kennedy Kimutai and Sebastian Sawe clocked 59:05 and 59:23 to finish 5th and 6th respectively.
For the remaining 5km, Kibiwott ran alone, with his huge strides meticulously touching the tarmac.
When he was about to finish the race, Kandie lost his way before being shown the direction by a race official.
The 26-year-old had previously broken the half marathon world record at the same event in 2020 when he produced a dominant performance to reach the tape in 57:32.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo bettered Kibiwott’s world record when he clocked 57.31 to win the 2021 EDP Lisbon Half Marathon title.
In the women's category, Germany's Konstanze Klosterhalfen had a debut to remember.
The 25-year-old showed East African athletes dust to win the race in an impressive time of 1:05.41.
Tsigie Gebreselama and Hawi Feysa, both from Ethiopia settled for second and third-place finishes in 1:05.46 and 1:06.00 respectively.
The Kenyan duo of Agnes Ngolo and 2019 World Athletics Championship silver medalist Margaret Chelimo registered a 4th and 5th place positions respectively.
Ngolo clocked 1:06.38 while Chelimo crossed the finishing line in a time of 1:96.50.
Also Read: Kandie Kibiwott Crowned Fastest Runner Ever in Men's 10km