Chebet breaks Beijing course record as Kenyans dominate Chinese half marathons

Kenya's Susy Chebet Chemaimak clocked 1:09:07 to claim victory and set a new course record, as Kenyans claimed a double at this year’s Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday, 20 April.

Chebet broke Liu Min’s previous course record of 1:11:07 set in 2023, finishing ahead of Uganda’s Rispa Cherop and Ethiopia's Beriha Gebreyohanes Gebreslasie, who came home in second and third, respectively.

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In the men's race, compatriot Charles Mbatha Matata finished in 1:00:25, falling short of the 59:37 course record set by Brian Kirui in 2023.

Matata finished seven seconds ahead of his compatriot Wisley Kipkemoi Yego, while Ethiopia's Getachew Masresha Kidie took third place.

"I really appreciate the opportunity to race in Beijing. The course here is good," Matata said after the race. "I was focusing on 59 minutes, which is my target time. The final result is not so bad and not so good."

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In another race in the same country, defending champion and course record holder Roncer Konga claimed victory at the Shanghai Half Marathon, clocking 1:01:07, leading an all-Kenya podium sweep.

Konga, who clocked 1:00:29 to set the course record last year, finished four seconds ahead of Edmond Kipngetich, while Isaac Kipkemboi, who took silver a second behind Konga in 2024, completed the podium places eight seconds behind the winner.

In the women’s race, Ftaw Zeray, who carried a 1:06:04 PB from her win in the RAK half marathon in 2023, clocked 1:06:36 to set a new course record. Meanwhile, Veronicah Njeri Maina was second in 1:10:57, while Xu Shuangshuang completed the podium places in 1:11:07

Beijing Half Marathon

Men

Charles Mbatha Matata 🇰🇪 1:00:25

Wisley Kipkemoi Yego 🇰🇪

Getachew Masresha Kidie 🇪🇹

Women

Susy Chebet Chemaimak 🇰🇪 1:09:07 (CR)

Rispa Cherop 🇺🇬

Beriha Gebreyohanes Gebreslasie 🇪🇹

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Shanghai Half Marathon

Men 

Roncer Kipkorir Konga 🇰🇪 1:01:07

Edmond Kipngetich 🇰🇪 1:01:11

Isaac Kipkemboi 🇰🇪 1:01:15

Women

Ftaw Zeray 🇪🇹 1:06:36 (CR)

Veronicah Njeri Maina 🇰🇪 1:10:57

Xu Shuangshuang 🇨🇳 1:11:07