Former World Half Marathon record holder, Kibiwott Kandie won the Spanish half marathon for the second time in his career at the 16th edition of the Valencia Half Marathon held on Sunday (23) in Valencia, Spain.
The reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist, who came to this race with a personal best of 57:32 that he got in 2020 when setting the then world half record fought for honors with the 2019 World 10,00m silver medallist, Yomif Kejelcha, former world U20 3000m champion, Tadese Worku both from Ethiopia and the 2018 Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist, Rodgers Kwemoi.
The 26 year-old was among the leading group of Sebastiean Kimaru Sawe, Danield Mateiko, Kwemoi, Kejelcha and Worku,that went through the 5k mark in13:56 and passing sailing through the in 27:51.
Kandie broke away at 13 km mark and opened up a big gap over Mateiko, Kejelcha and Worku. The 2020 world half marathon silver medallist reached the 15 km in 41:17 after a fast split in 2:39 in the 14 km. Kandie covered the 5 km section between 10 and 15 km in 13:26 as he surged ahead to win in the third fastest time on Spanish soil of 58:10 and followed by Kejelcha who crossed the finish line in second in an Ethiopian record time of 58:32.
“I have been preparing so hard for this race over the last two months and that effort has paid off today. Despite the humidity, I felt great throughout and decided to increase the pace after midway. I am quite satisfied with my performance,” said Kandie.
Mateiko closed the podium three finishes in a time of 58:40.
Worku and Kennedy Kimuati finished in fourth and fifth place in a time of 58:47 and 59:04 respectively.
The race course record of 58:07 that was set last year by Abel Kipchumba from Kenya remains standing
LEADING RESULTS
21KM MEN
- Kandie Kibiwott (KEN) 58:10
- Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 58:32
- Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 58:40
- Tadese Worku (ETH) 58:47
- Kennedy Kimuati (KEN) 59:04
Facebook Comments