Jepchirchir of Kenya sets new world record in women's half marathon

23-year-old Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya has set a new world record in the women’s half marathon. Her new record eclipses that of fellow Kenyan Florence Kiplagat set in barcelona two years ago.

Jepchirchir clocked a time of one hour, five minutes and six seconds in the United Arab Emirates’s Ras al-Khaimah hald marathon. Her record is however subject to ratification by the world athletics body, the IAAF.

The new record holder beat a fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany, a three-time winner over the distance, with only seven seconds. Another Kenyan, Joyceline Jepkosgei rounded up the top three slots.

A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (13.1094 miles) – half the distance of a marathon. World records in the half marathon are ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations, the international governing body for the sport of athletics

Reuters reports that Kenya also dominated the men’s race, with Bedan Karoki, who won silver at last year’s World Half Marathon Championships and World Cross Country Championships, winning in a time of 59:10.

Ethiopia’s Yigrem Demelash finished nine seconds behind Karoki, while Kenya’s Augustine Choge was a further seven seconds back in third.