by Justin Lagat
Rhonex Kipruto runs 26:46, photo by RunCzech
The Birell Prague 10k is known for its swift course. Rhonex Kipruto flew around the course in 26:46, with his last 5k a world class time all by itself! Caroline Kipkirui, who has raced from 5,000m on the track to the half marathon in 2019, showed her talent last night, holding onto the win in a fine 30:19! Justin Lagat, our writer from Kenya, wrote this piece on the fine exhibiiton of exceptional Kenyan distance running.
Caroline Kipkirui won a tactical 5000m on May 19, 2018 in Boston, photo by Photorun.net
Rhonex Kipruto ran 27:08 on April 29, 2018 at the Healthy Kidney, photo by Photorun.net
After watching the thrilling run by Rhonex KIpruto on the streets of Prague last evening, one question remains. Was he aware that he was capable of running a new world record if he had planned for it? His time splits were very uneven as he ran the first 5km in 13:36, then the second 5km in 13:10. Arguably, he would have been able to cut more than 10 seconds in his first half of the race and still be able to balance it in the last half to get a new world record.
In an interview just after the race, the 18 year old told the press that he believes he would have run much faster had he found someone to go with him in the race.
During the second half of the race, Kipruto broke away from the leading pack and was soon flying alone in a pace that could only be described as out of this world. He appeared to be floating on top of the road with his feet in a rapid turnover and everything around him dashing in a blur, especially given that the race was being run in twilight. He seemed to be enjoying his race with no sign of straining on his body.
It seems that everyone suddenly realized that his time was going to be a special one as fans and officials started to wave frantically at him to quicken his pace a bit. For the first time, Kipruto appeared to strain a little as he sprinted towards the finish line as he saw the world record so close in front of him. He crossed the finish line in 26:46 narrowly missing Leornard Komon’s world record of 26:44. Geoffrey Koech and Mathew Kimeli took 2nd and 3rd in 27:18 and 27:26 respectively.
Kenyans dominated the women’s race as well with Caroline Kipkurui outsprinting Fancy Chemutai to win the women’s race in another amazing time of 30:19 against Chemutai’s 30:22. Diana Chemtai came so close to overtaking Chemutai as she came to finish third in 30:23.
Caroline Kipkirui wins Birell Prague 10k in 30:19, on September 8, 2018, photo by RunCzech
