FLASH – Zersenay Tadese braves the cold for victory, Gladys Cherono breaks course record in Prague

In a thrilling sprint finish Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese won the Hervis Prague Half Marathon in 60:10. But the performance of the day came in the women’s race, where Gladys Cherono (Kenya) broke the course record with a time of 66:48.

In cool conditions with temperatures around 4 degrees Celsius the world record of 58:23 minutes was out of reach early in the race. Instead spectators witnessed a thrilling finish in which world record holder Zersenay Tadese just edged out his fellow Eritrean Amanuel Mesel. Both were given the same time of 60:10. John Kipsang (Kenya) took a surprise third with 60:16. The Kenyans Pius Kirop (60:18) and Henry Kiplagat (60:21) also ran sub 61 minutes.

After a third place with a personal best of 68:18 a year ago, Kenya’s Gladys Cherono returned with a commanding performance. Running 66:48, she improved the course record by 16 seconds and was well ahead of Worknesh Degefa (Ethiopia/68:12). Gladys’ time is the fourth fastest in the world this year. In third place Isabella Ochichi made a fine comeback. More than six years after her last international competition the Kenyan Olympic 5,000 m silver medallist from 2004 clocked 69:21.

A record number of 12,500 runners entered the Hervis Prague Half Marathon, which is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Please note: All times are unofficial. A more detailed press release including a photo will be sent during the aftern