Kenya’s Philemon Kiplimo, the eighth fastest half marathon runner in history will lead a deep men’s elite field at the 23rd edition of the Prague Half Marathon that will be held on Saturday in Prague, Czech Republic.
The 23 year-old comes to this race with the eight fastest time of 58:11 that he got in 2020 at the Valencia Half marathon where he finished in fifth position.
Kiplimo will not have an easy ride as he has been lined up with three compatriots who have gone under the fifty nine minutes mark. They are Kennedy Kimutai, who comes to this race with a personal best of 58:28 that he got last year in Valencia after crossing the line in fourth place.
The 25 year-old Keneth Kiprop Renju who is the oldest among the four comes to the race carrying on his shoulder a personal best of 58:35 that he got early this year at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon where he took the bronze medal.
Another title contender is Mathew Kimeli, who comes to the city of Prague with a personal best of 58:43 that he got last year in Valencia after finishing in seventh place.
The above four runners have all run under the race course record of 58:47 that was set fifteen years ago by Atsedu Tsegay from Ethiopia.
Five more runners who have run under the 60 minutes mark have also been lined up to fight for the pole position and also chase the course record mark. The 26 year-old Benard Kimeli, is more familiar with this course after taking the 2021 honors with a life time best of 59:07. Fourth place finisher at this year’s Napoli City Half Marathon Josphat Kiprotich has also been rolled in as he comes with a personal best of 59:35.
Ethiopia’s Gerba Dibaba will also be on the start line up as he comes with a personal best of 59:39. The 21 year-old who started his running career in October last year has participated in two half marathons both in Portugal and this will be his first time to step in Czech Republic and his third road race.
Africa Cross Country Champion Alfred Barkach, who is the most experienced runner in this field and Wisley Kibichii both carrying personal best of 59:46 and 59:57 from Delhi Half Marathon and Movistar Medio Maratón de Madrid respectively.
LEADING TIME
21KM MEN
- Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 58:11
- Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 58:28
- Keneth Kiprop Renju (KEN) 58:35
- Mathew Kimeli (KEN) 58:43
- Benard Kimeli (KEN) 59:07
- Josphat Kiprotich (KEN) 59:35
- Gerba Dibaba (ETH) 59:39
- Alfred Barkach (KEN) 59:46
- Wisley Kibichii (KEN) 59:57
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