11 Kenyans chasing prize money millions in Istanbul Half Marathon
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 27.04.25. | 09:15
In the men’s race, the course record of 59:15 held by Rodgers Kwemoi (2021) is under threat while Ruth Chepngetich's mark of 64:02 from 2021 (then a world record), seems out of reach
The 20th edition of the Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon will be staged on Sunday, 27 April, four days after an earthquake hit the metropolis.
A day after the earthquake, which did not take any casualties and only caused limited damage, organisers confirmed the race would go on.
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“Yesterday, an earthquake occurred in Istanbul, and we are grateful that there were no casualties or significant damage as a result of that. In Türkiye, life continues to proceed as usual across all sectors, including sports.
All sports events will take place as planned. This Sunday, we are proud to be hosting the 20th edition of the race with a record number of participants.
We are pleased to proceed with our activities, as there is no cause for concern,” said Race Director Renay Onur, a day after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul.
According to Istanbul Yari Maratonu, the winners in both the men's and women's fields will bank $15,000 (Ksh1.9 million), second-place finishers will take home $10,000 (Ksh1.2 million), while athletes who complete the podium will earn $8,000 (Ksh1.03 million).
In the men’s race, the course record of 59:15 is under threat.
Two athletes who have shown great form recently are regarded as favorites on Sunday. Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu, who won the Seoul Marathon in March with 2:05:42, is the fastest runner on the start list with a personal best (PB) of 59:06.
The other one is Kenya’s Charles Alex Matata, who took the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates in February in impressive fashion, clocking a PB of 59:20 despite windy conditions.
Matata has asked the Istanbul organisers for a sub-59 pace on Sunday, as the 27-year-old, who has shelved any marathon dreams for two years, looks to go under 58 minutes in the 21km.
“I still want to run faster at the half marathon, in the 58 and maybe 57 minutes,” he offered after his RAK achievement. He is chasing the first target in the Turkish capital.
Berehanu Tsegu is the third athlete on the start list with a PB of sub one hour. The Ethiopian ran 59:42 back in 2019 in Lisbon, but this year achieved a fine marathon time with 2:05:14 in Dubai in January.
He was runner-up in this prestigious marathon, and his performance suggests that he might be in form for a half-marathon PB as well.
The women’s race is likely to be a duel between the defending champion Sheila Chelangat and fellow Kenyan Judy Kemboi in the absence of Winfridah Moseti, who withdrew due to an injury.
“I am ready for Istanbul despite the weather,” said Chelangat, who managed to improve her PB by almost three minutes to 66:47 in last year’s race despite heavy rains that slowed down the fields.
“I am in good form and I will try to lower my PB,” Kemboi, the quickest on the field, said.
With six more women on the start list with personal records of sub 67:00, the women’s field has great depth. However, the course record held by world marathon record holder Ruth Chepngetich, of 64:02 from 2021 (then a world record), seems out of reach.
Elite Runners with Personal Bests:
MEN
Haftu Teklu ETH 59:06
Alex Matata KEN 59:20
Berehanu Tsegu ETH 59:42
Callum Hawkins GBR 60:00
Gemechu Bute ETH 60:03
Ali Kaya TUR 60:16
Mathew Samperu KEN 60:27
Shadrack Kipkurui KEN 60:40
Abel Mutai KEN 61:00
Aaron Bienenfeld GER 61:39
Laban Kipkemboi KEN 62:01
WOMEN
Judy Kemboi KEN 65:43
Sheila Chelangat KEN 66:06
Fikrte Wereta ETH 66:28
Hiwot Gebrekidan ETH 66:28
Bekelech Gudeta ETH 66:35
Gete Alemayehu ETH 66:37
Miriam Chebet KEN 66:43
Betelihem Afenigus ETH 66:46
Zewditu Aderaw ETH 67:38
Cynthia Kosgei KEN 68:29
Daisilah Jerono KEN 69:44
Fridah Ndinda KEN 69:49
Kristina Hendel GER 70:38
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