Kiplimo, Gebrzihair and McColgan create history at RAK Half
Jacob Kiplimo fell short of his half-marathon world record but still managed to produce a 15km world best on his way to a course record of 57:56 and victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on Saturday (February 19). There were fireworks in the women's race, too, as Eilish McColgan broke Paula Radcliffe's long-standing British record in a time of 66:26, coming sixth in a contest won by Girmawit Gebrzihair's course record of 64:14.
This event, staged in the United Arab Emirates, has gained a reputation for fast times and remarkable performances and this year's event did not disappoint, with the conditions perfect as runners gathered for the 7am start.
The 21-year-old Kiplimo had been targeting his mark of 57:31, set in November last year, and the Ugandan blasted out from the start line into the lead. Clearly intent to go it alone, he surged and dropped his pacemaker just before the 5km split, which was passed in 13:23, well ahead of the 13:40 he had run in Lisbon three months ago.
At 10km, Kiplimo was still ten seconds up on his previous best as he cruised past the marker in 26:56. The first nine men, with Kenya's Rogers Kwemoi 16 seconds behind but closest in pursuit, went through in under 28 minutes.
The searing pace of that opening 10km began to tell, however, and Kiplimo's pace had slowed a little when he reached 15km, though his split of 40:43 was a world best for the distance (beating compatriot Joshua Cheptegei's 41:05). He still did look surprisingly fresh and came through 20km in 54:53 (covering the second 10km in 27:57) but that half marathon world record was slipping out of reach and, when the clock ticked past 57:31, the 10,000m bronze medallist had only just appeared on the finishing straight.
Kiplimo's sprint finish did bring him that course record, not to mention the prize bonuses on offer for clocking under 58:30, as he broke the tape in 57:56. He is the only man ever to have run below 58 minutes for the half marathon three times, and now possesses there of the top five half marathon times in history.
“Everyone was crazy fast over 10k but for me to run a course record is good.”
Jacob Kiplimo spoke to @runningshoeguru after winning @rakhalfmarathon 🎙 pic.twitter.com/1GZ0km1Bmr
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) February 19, 2022
Kwemoi hung on for second in 58:30, having been chased down by his fast finishing compatriot Kenneth Renju (58:35), as the top six all came home under the previous course record of 58:42.
‘‘I trained very hard ahead of this race, so I am extremely proud with my result this morning," said Kiplimo. "The weather conditions made for a fantastic and very competitive race, but I managed to set my pace from the outset, making good speed. It was an unforgettable experience.’’
McColgan and Gebrzihair's day to remember
Two women who are very new to half marathon racing also had a day to remember at the RAK Half Marathon. Ethiopian Gebrzihair was making her debut over the distance, while this was McColgan's second competitive outing at 13.1 miles.
In contrast to the men's contest, the women's race was a much more cagey affair, with the main contenders sticking closely together and slightly outside world record schedule (Letesenbet Gidey’s mark of 62:52) as they passed 5km in 15:12. The leading, eight-strong group also included the 2020 winner Ababel Yeshane, Kenya's Hellen Obiri, Sheila Chepkirui and Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba.
At 6km, the latter was dropped and she joined a detached McColgan, who had passed 5km in 15:40 and was well on track to beat her previous best of 67:48.
Reaching the 10km mark in, 30:28, the leading pack was whittled down to five athletes before Obiri, Gebrzihair and Chepkirui began to edge away and went through 15km in 45:50. Chepkirui was the first to crack and she was dropped, with the leading pair passing 20km in 61:04.
It was Gebrzihair who won the sprint for the line and her 64:14 was the second-fastest ever women's half marathon debut, while it also improved Yeshaneh's course record of 64:31.
Two-time world 5000m champion Obiri finished eight seconds behind in a personal best of 64:22, with Chepkirui third in 64:36.
The sixth-placed finisher, McColgan - created headlines, too. Her virtually solo run (she was joined only by a single male runner for much of the race) of 66:26 took her sailing past mother Liz's half marathon best of 67:11 and Radcliffe's British record of 66:47, set back in 2001.
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‘‘What an incredible morning," said Gebrzihair. "The course was wonderful to race on and I was able to make excellent time with 64:14. I am very proud of what I achieved today, especially as the competition was so fierce.’’
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