Obiri, Kwemoi reign supreme in Istanbul Half Marathon

World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri and former national cross country champion Rodgers Kwemoi have reigned supreme in the Istanbul Half Marathon after clinching top honours on Sunday morning.

Obiri clocked one hour, four minutes and forty eight seconds to claim gold in the women's category ahead of the Ethiopian duo of Tsehay Gemechu and Bekelech Gudeta.

The Japan based Kwemoi on the other hand cut the tape in a course record of 00:59:15 to claim gold as well as lead Kenyans to a clean sweep as Daniel Mateiko and Emmanuel Bor finished second and third respectively. Mateiko clocked 01:00:05 while Bor, the reigning Nandi Road Race champion timed 01:00:20.

Obiri who was enjoying the company of her pacesetter David Chemweno was in a class of her own as she showed signs of claiming gold shortly after the gun went off as she raced from the front and kept widening the gap up to the tape.

The Olympic 5000m silver medalist who finished third last year behind Yalemzerf Yehualew and World marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich will be glad to strike gold in her fourth half marathon race.

Obiri became joins compatriots Chepngetich, Gladys Cherono and Viola Jepchumba in the list Kenyans who have won the race. Ruth who shattered the record in last year's edition won the race in 2017 and 2019.

Kwemoi on the other hand joined the ranks of Kenyans who have won the race after cruising to victory in spectacular fashion in his third appearance in 13.1 miles long race.

Even though he did not break his personal best, Kwemoi, a 10000m race specialist lowered the course record held by Kandie Kibiwott who clocked 00:59:35 last year.