Berlin, Oct. 24, (dpa/GNA) – Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia on Sunday obliterated the women’s half marathon world record in her debut over the distance in Valencia, taking more than a minute off the previous mark.
Gidey, 23, clocked 1 hour 2 minutes 52 seconds to improve the record of Kenyan marathon world champion Ruth Chepngetich from earlier this year by 1:10 minutes.
“I’m so happy to break the world record in my first half marathon,” she said.
It is the second world record she set in the Spanish city, following that over 5,000m last year (14:06.62). Gidey also owns the 10,000m world record (29:01.03) since June.
She won 10,000m bronze at this year’s Tokyo Olympics and silver over the distance at the 2019 worlds.
Compatriot Yalemzerf Yehualaw was second in 1:03:51, also inside the previous world record.
The men’s race saw a Kenyan sweep with Abel Kipchumba winning in 58:07 minutes from Rhonex Kipruto and Daniel Mateiko.
GNA