Kenya’s Bernard Kipkirui ran a race of his lifetime as he surprised race favorites at the 30th edition of the Santa Pola Half Marathon held on Sunday (22) in Santa Pola, Spain.
The 21 year-old who finished in ninth place at the 2021 World U20 Trials, beat a strong team that included the race favorite Alfred Kipchcirchir who came to this race with the fastest time on paper of 59:43 that he got in 2021 at the Movistar Medio Maratón de Madrid, where he finished in fourth place.
Kipkirui who was making his debut over the distance ran almost the entire race solo as he led a 1-2-3 Kenyan podium finish when he cut the tape with a powerful finishing kick and cutting the tape in a new personal best of 59:44 with Nehemiah Kipyegon coming home in second 1:00.37.
Alfred Kipchirchir closed the podium three finishes in 1:00.40
LEADING RESULTS
21KM MEN
- Bernard Kipkirui (KEN) 59:44
- Nehemiah Kipyegon (KEN) 1:00.37
- Alfred Kipchirchir (KEN0 1:00.40
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