by Alfonz Juck
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by PhotoRun.net
Kipchoge wins in 59:44
NEW DELHI (IND, Nov 20): In his first race since winning the Olympic marathon title, Eliud Kipchoge claimed victory in the Airtel New Delhi Half Marathon in 59:44 (missed PB by 19 seconds), informs organisers. “The running conditions were good, my training was good and with the right guidance from my coach, I was able to win the race. Along the route the crowd was also cheering us and that helped to further motivate us,” said Kipchoge. Ethiopia’s Yigrem Demelash was a close second in 59:48 with Augustine Choge third in a big lifetime best of 60:01. In the women’s race, Ethiopians took a one-two through Worknesh Degefa (67:42) and Ababel Yeshaneh (67:52) ahead of Kenyans Helah Kiprop (68:11), Gladys Chesire (68:23), Peres Jepchirchir (68:28) and Mary Wacera (69:06). Top European finishers were Ireland´s Paul Pollock (64:43) in 14th and Italian Valeria Straneo (73:55) in 11th.
RunBlogRun opines: Some Eliud the greatest long distance runner of his time. We tend to concur. This is his first race since Rio. In speaking with Galen Rupp last weekend, Galen had nothing but praise for the Rio gold medalist. We like Eliud Kipchoge because of his long term approach to success in our sport.
