Olympic 5,000 meters gold medalist Vivian Cheruiyot shattered the course record at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, on Sunday.
Cheruiyot posted 1:06:34 while the previous record (on this flat course) was 1:08:22 set by Kenyan Rose Chelimo in 2015.
#WeekendSports: Vivian Cheruyiot shattered the course record at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday, clocking one hour, 6 minutes and 34 seconds, lowering compatriot Rose Chelimo’s 1:08:22 record set in 2015. pic.twitter.com/9LxJBXd2YP
— SportsInformer (@sportsinformer7) March 18, 2019
The former 10,000m world champion improved her personal best by a minute after shattering her 1:07:43 performance she set at last year’s Great North Run.
At Friday’s pre-race press conference, Cheruiyot had promised to mount an assault on her personal best—and she followed through.
“It was a good race for me,” she said. “Only the strong wind made me run slower. I raced to beat my personal best, and I’m happy. It was a great test for the London Marathon, next month.
“Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer was second, more than a minute after the winner in 1:08:07 while debutante Sandra Tuei Felis rounded off the podium in 1:08.14 with countrywoman Linet Masai further back, clocking 1:08:51 for fourth, and another Kenyan debutant, Caroline Chepkemoi, next in 1:09:13.
In a thrilling sprint finish, Swede Meraf Bahta, also making her half-marathon debut, edged Portugal’s Sara Moreira, both credited with 1:12:09.
In the men’s category, Isaac Kipkemoi was placed third in 59:44 with Kelvin Cheruiyot fifth in 59:54. Kenya’s Edward Kiptoo (59:58), John Loitang (1:00:09), Bernard Kimani (1:00:11), Simon Chepot (1:00:12) and Nicholas Kosimbei (1:00.21) completed the top 10 places.
Vivian Cheruiyot smashes course record at Lisbon half, Thomas Kiplagat and Desi Jisa Mokonin take strong victories at Seoul Marathon, Jepkosgei cruises to victory at NYC Half, and more. Check out our weekend road round-up.
— IAAF (@iaaforg) March 17, 2019
📰 https://t.co/RDhbXoIO0l pic.twitter.com/XYhsgxxG6F
The race was won by Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew in 59:37 with compatriot Berehanu Tsegu (59:420 coming home second.
