Former Africa cross country champion Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli broke the race course record at the World 10K Bengaluru Road Race that was held on Sunday (15) in Bengaluru, India.
The Tokyo 5000m fourth finisher took the lead at the 9km mark and pulled away from Ethiopia’s reigning world U20 10,000m champion Tadese Worku to erase the men’s previous record of 27:44 that was set by his compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in 2014.
The race started off in an unusual manner with Reynold Kipkorir from Kenya who was to eventually finish ninth – out on his own for much of the first 5km, passing the halfway point in 14:00 with the rest of the elite field staying around 70m in arrears.
But shortly after going through 5km, Worku took charge of the race and engaged the gear to tow the leading men back to Kipkorir before going past him just before the 6km point and then increasing the pace further.
Kimeli stayed calmed behind Worku for the next 3km, letting him to do all the hard work as the pair gradually got back onto course record pace as they also put a daylight between themselves and the rest of the men’s field.
Worku who looked fresh as they reached the final kilometre could not respond when Kimeli took the lead, with the latter almost sprinting like a middle-distance runner over the final 300m as he cut the tape in a new course record of 27:38.
“Honestly, I was not expecting to get the course record. When we reached 5K, we didn’t think we will get the course record, in fact, even when we crossed the 7K-mark, I didn’t think we will make the record. But only when Worku pushed ahead, I picked up pace towards the end,” said Kimeli.
Worku was forced to settle in second place inside the old record with a time of 27:43.
The race favorite and former world half-marathon record holder, Kibiwott Kandie closed the first three podium finishes in a time of 27:57.
Two-time reigning world champion 5000m Muktar Edris crossed the line in a disappointing seventh place.
Kimeli pocketed a cool USD 26,000 for his victory and course record bonuses of USD 8000.
LEADING RESULTS
10KM MEN
- Nicholas Kimeli (KEN) 27:38
- Tadese Worku (ETH) 27:43
- Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 27:57
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