Kenya’s Joan Chelimo smashed the race course record at the 76th edition of the Seoul Marathon that was held Sunday (17) in Seoul, South Korea.
The 31 year-old who has competed in six half marathon races and lost known, came to this race with the third fastest time on paper of 2:20.57 that she got when she finished in eighth place at the 2020 Valencia marathon.
Chelimo faced a strong deep elite field field that included two fastest Ethiopians on paper on paper; Guteni Shone of 2:20.11 and Sutume Asefa of 2:20.30, but this did not deter her effort and she went ahead to thrash the old course record of 2:19.51 that was set in 2006 by Zhou Chunxiu from China, setting a new personal best and New course record of 2:18.03.
Chelimo was followed by Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kemede who crossed the line in second place also running under the old record with a time of 2:18.12.
Eunice Chebichii chumba who finished seventh at the Tokyo Olympics, closed the podium three places in a time of 2:20.02.
Kenya’s Celestine Chepchirchir and Guteni Shone Imana, who was the fastest athlete on paper finished in fourth and fifth place in a time of 2:20.10 and 2:28.05 respectively.
LEADING RESULTS
42KM WOMEN
- Joan Chelimo Melly (ROM) 2:18.04 (CR)
- Sutume Asefa Kemede (ETH) 2:18.12 (CR)
- Eunice Chumbai (BHN) 2:20.02
- Celestine Chepchirchir (KEN) 2:20.10
- Guteni Shone Imana (ETH) 2:28.05
