Kenya’s Caroline Kipkurui outsprinted the race favorite Fancy Chemutai to win the Birell Grand Prix women 10K title that was held on Saturday night in Birell, Prague.
Chemutai who had projected to run under the 30:36 mark that she got at last year’s race when she finished in second place, led her teammates to reach the 5K mark in 14:48, suggesting a sub-30 minute finishing time or possibly even a world record was possible.
Chemutai opened up a gap on Kipkirui and it continued to grow over the next two kilometres.
In the closing stages, though, Kipkirui and Diana Kipyokei reeled Chemutai back in and they crossed the Stefanik Bridge together with Kipkirui now looking the freshest of the trio.
The 24 year-old, who has turned in a host of impressive performances on the track and roads this year, gave a powerful kick in the closing stages to cut the tape in a new personal best of 30:19, making her the fifth fastest runner on the world all-time list, one place ahead of Paula Radcliffe, whose best of 30:21 was still the world record up until April 2017.
Chemutai came home second in 30:22 with Diana Kipyokei closing the three first finishes in a personal best of 30:23.
Diana Tuitoek and Perine Nenkampi crossed the line in fourth and fifth place in 31:17 and 31:25 respectively.
LEADING RESULTS
WOMEN
1. Caroline Kipkirui (KEN) 30:19
2. Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 30:22
3. Diana Kipyokei (KEN) 30:23
4. Dorcas Tuitoek (KEN) 31:17
5. Perine Nenkampi (KEN) 31:25
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