Ejgayehu Taye produced a dominant performance to win the 18th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, February 1.
The Ethiopian, who is a world 10,000m bronze medallist and secured the same colour medal over 5km at the 2023 World Road Running Championships, had targeted breaking Letesenbet Gidey’s world half marathon record of 62:52 in the United Arab Emirates.
Taye was so confident she could run well that she even brought her own pacemaker – Wosinew Admasu – with her.
With a starting temperature of 12C, conditions looked perfect for a record-breaking run.
The 24-year-old started well and went through the 5km mark in 14:57, but the pace and wind took their eventual toll and Taye ended up going through 10km and 15km in 30:02 and 45:52 respectively.
The Ethiopian, who was already joint-seventh on the half marathon all-time list with 64:14, crossed the line to win in 65:52.
That is still a world-leading time for this season however, even in blustery conditions.
“I was expecting to run fast, even maybe get the world record, but the wind was unfortunately too strong,” Taye said. “I felt it was pushing me back but I’m very happy with the win.”
Kenya’s Judy Kemboi placed second in 66:34 and compatriot Jesca Chelangat was third with 66:53.
In the elite men’s field, Kenya’s Alex Matata recorded the best win of his career, running 59:20 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon.
The breeze and lack of a pacemaker to split the field meant that the men’s race was relatively tight in the first 10km, with 20 men passing the mark in 28:34.
The favourite going into event was Kenya’s Isaia Lasoi but he slowed ever so slightly after picking up a groin strain in the latter stages.
With Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida suddenly dropping back with a kilometre to run, Matata took his chance and established a small lead on the pair.
Even though Lasoi and Dida rallied, they had too much ground to make up and Matata crossed the tape first, donning a pink glove in his right hand to wipe off the sweat.
Matata is now aiming to run a 57/58 minute half marathon, before he potentially moves up to 26.2 miles in the long-term.
“It was great to get a personal best time and I really felt I could win by the 14km mark,” said Matata. “My aim is to regularly run 57-58 minutes for the half and I won’t be attempting a full marathon for another two years.”
As well as the elites, thousands of people took part in the 2km, 5km, and 10km and 21km races on Saturday.
All four distances started and finished on Al Marjan Island, with athletes of all ages and abilities racing.
A Runner’s Village provided an estimated 10,000 people with a children’s play zone, radio broadcasts, food and beverage, a DJ and live music, keeping athletes and spectators entertained throughout the morning.
In addition, a 500-seat grandstand was constructed, allowing friends and family to support the runners as they crossed the finish line and collect their medals.
Source: AW
