Tirop smashes women's only 10km world record

Multiple World 10000m bronze medalist Agnes Tirop, up against a stellar field that had compatriots Sheila Chepkirui and Nancy Jelagat among others, gave a dominant performance as she claimed victory in the women's 10km in an Adidas-organised event to clock 30.01 and break a 19-year old women's only record in the distance. 

The event dubbed 'Road to Records' was held in Herzogenaurach, Germany on Sunday 12 September 2021 morning bringing together some of the best Adidas athletes competing in six events that included the half marathon for men and women, 10k and 5k for both as well. The course was set up around the Adidas headquarters.

Tirop led a Kenyan clean sweep in the women's 10k race as she went on to break the previous record of 30.29 set by Moroccan Asmae Leghzaoui in 2002.

"This is unbelievable that I am a world record holder. The field was good and Sheila assisted me alot as she kept pushing me and I knew I had to give it my all for a win," said Tirop.

Earlier in the same event, World record holder Rhonex Kipruto had raced to the thrid-fastest time in history, beating the men's field with a time of 26:43.

Kipruto fought for gold running shoulder to shoulder with Ethiopian Tadese Worku. The duo took the bell with the Kenyan about two steps ahead of Worku in the four-lap race on the Adidas course.

Worku surged to the front 300m into the final lap but only lasted in the lead for about 100m before the Kenya put the hummer down and picked a decisive gap with about three minutes of racing left as he went on to finish with a smile in the fast race. Kennedy Kimutai settled for bronze in 27:09 behind Worku's 26:56.

"It feels great to win and the time is a great achievement. My body had not responded well in the initial stages of the race but I picked up well and caught up with Worku for the win. After my predicaments in Tokyo I went back to camp and gathered my thoughts and here I am," said Kipruto.

In the half marathon event that was the first discipline of the Adidas-organised event, Abel Kipchumba clocked 58:48 to win the men's race and secure the world’s fastest men's half marathon time of 2021 in the process.

Kipchumba dictated the pace, putting a several-seconds gap between him and the rest of the field after the last pacemaker dropped off just after the halfway mark and held on for the win ahead of compatriots Alexander Mutiso (59.20) and Amos Kibiwott (59.34) in a Kenyan podium sweep.

"I am happy especially for running a Personal Best. My last PB was run three years ago. I loved the course and was feeling really strong when I broke from the leading pack and held on for the win. It is a great feeling to run the fastest Half Marathon time this year too," said an elated Kipchumba.

In the women's half marathon, another Kenyan Brenda Jepleting gave another stand-out performance, racing to a personal best to win the race with a time of 01:06:52.

Kenya's Brillian Kipkoech, Viola Cheptoo and Ethiopian Besu Sado went into the race as favourites on paper but at the end of the 8 laps on the course around the Adidas Headquarters, it was Jepleting who had blasted the field for a bold solo run in the win. Kipkoech settled for bronze as Sado bagged silver.

"It was not an easy race. I am happy for the win. At 5k I decided to go ahead of the pacemakers after realising the pace was too slow. Even the race organisers were urging us to pick up the pace. It is a relatively easy course, a bit sloppy but I enjoyed it. The shoes felt comfortable too," said Jepleting.

Jacob Krop ran a fast 5K for a personal best time of 13:06 ahead of Muktar Edris of Ethiopia who settled for silver in 13:09 and Uganda’s Hosea Kiplagat (13:13) who won bronze.

"This was a tough one but grateful I finished well. About 4K I decided to make my move against Muktar who had led for the better part of the race and I felt really strong so I held on for this great finish," said Krop.

Kenya's missed out on medals in the women's 5K as Olympics finalist, Senberi Teferi, broke away after the first kilometre to lead an Ethiopian podium sweep while breaking the world record in the distance. She timed 14:29 ahead of Melknat Sharew (14:54) and Nigisti Haftu (14: 54)