Brigid Kosgei and Dinkalem Ayele win Lisbon Half Marathon

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei and Dinkalem Ayele from Ethiopia won the 33rd edition of the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday.

Racing in warm and humid conditions, Kosgei clocked 1:05:51 to claim the women’s crown, finishing more than three minutes ahead of Ethiopian Bosena Mulatie, while Ayele held off Kenya’s Dominic Kiptarus to win the men’s race, 1:00:36 to 1:00:40.

In a tune-up race before the London Marathon, Kosgei confirmed her status of favorite, storming to the win just before the 10k point, to finish with a comfortable margin. Mulatie was second, in 1:09:00, with the Ethiopian Tigist Menigstu completing the podium, in 1:09:14.

"This was a preparation for London Marathon next month. I'm really happy with my performance and appreciate the organisers, they did a fantastic job," Brigid said after the race.

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About the moment with her two kids after winning the race; "I was very happy because I came with my kids. They celebrated with me when I won the race. They were really happy and that gives me joy."

In the men's race, Ayele formed part of an five-strong pack that reached 10km in 28:35 and stayed together until the 20km mark, when he stormed to the victory. In the end, the 23 year-old Ethiopian won four seconds ahead of Kiptarus and 20 ahead Amanal Petros, the best European in the field.