New PB for Chelangat in Istanbul victory as Kipkoech wins in Gifu

Former IAAF World Youth Championships 300m bronze medalist Sheila Chelangat ran a dominant race to win this year’s Istanbul Half Marathon in a personal best (PB) time of 1:06:46.

Heading into the race, Chelangat was not in the conversation as compatriot Gladys Chepkurui who has a PB of 1:05:46 was seen as a favourite as were Ethiopians Betelihem Afenigus and Aberash Shilima.

Chelangat, however, proved herself against the stacked field to as debutant Miriam Chebet held her own for silver in 1:07:11. Ethiopia’s Zewditu Aderaw was third in 1:08:16.

In the men’s race, Hicham Amghar also ran a PB of 59:46, finishing ahead of Dinkalem Ayele (59:53) and Gemechu Bute (1:00:02) who also registered a PB.

Elsewhere at the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon (Japan), Ugandan Stella Chesang and Kenyan Hillary Kipkoech took the top spots over last year's winners Dolphine Nyaboke Omare and Amos Kurgat.

In the women's race Chesang, Omare, and Kenyan-born Bahraini Eunice Chebichii Chumba went out as a trio, Japan-based Hellen Ekarare with them initially but eventually dropping out.

After a 15:39 opening 5 km Chumba started to slip off, and by 15 km Chesang was on her own. Chesang won in 1:07:59, solid given the conditions, with Omare second in 1:08:31 and Chumba third in 1:09:10. Rinka Hida was the first Japanese woman, fifth overall in 1:12:06 behind Australian Genevieve Gregson

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A lead men's pack of 11 went through 5 km in 14:31, but by 10 km it was down to Kipkoech, Kurgat, Timothy Kiplagat, Ugandan Stephen Kissa, and Japan-based Kenyans Patrick Mathenge Wambui and Anthony Maina.

At 15 km in 43:40, only Kurgat and Kipkoech were left, and over the last 5 km Kipkoech pulled away for the win in 1:01:26. Kurgat was next in 1:01:38, with Kiplagat third in 1:01:55.

Istanbul Half Marathon results

Women

1. Sheila Chelangat 🇰🇪 1:06:46 (PB)

2. Miriam Chebet 🇰🇪 1:07:11 (debut)

3. Zewditu Aderaw 🇪🇹 1:08:16

Men

1.Hicham Amghar 🇲🇦59:46 (PB)

2. Dinkalem Ayele 🇪🇹 59:53

3. Gemechu Bute 🇪🇹 1:00:02 (PB)

Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon results

1. Stella Chesang (Uganda) - 1:07:59

2. Dolphine Nyaboke Omare (Kenya/Uniqlo) - 1:08:31

3. Eunice Chebichii Chumba (Bahrain) - 1:09:10

 Men

1. Hillary Kipkoech (Kenya) - 1:01:26

2. Amos Kurgat (Kenya/Chudenko) - 1:01:38

3. Timothy Kiplagat (Kenya) - 1:01:55