2012

2012 EDP Lisbon Half Mararthon Lisbon, Portugal March 25,2012 Photo: Victah Sailer@Photo Run Victah1111@aol.com 631-741-1865 www.photorun.NET

FLASH – Tadese claims fifth title, Hailu the upset women’s winner in Kavarna – World Half Marathon Championships

Ergebnisse

By GRR 0

Kavarna, Bulgaria – Dominating the proceedings from just beyond the fifth kilometre, Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea won an unprecedented fifth title at the World Half Marathon Championships in Kavarna, Bulgaria, today.

Running in hot and humid conditions, Tadese clocked 1:00:19, 32 seconds ahead of Deressa Chimsa of Ethiopia, to regain the title he won in four consecutive Championships from 2006 to 2009. John Nzau Mwangangi of Kenya took bronze.

In a thrilling finish, Meseret Hailu outsprinted her teammate Feyse Tadese over the final 50 metres to score an upset victory in the women’s race clocking 1:08:55. The pair led Ethiopia to a surprise victory in the women’s race over defending champions Kenya, with Japan taking team bronze.

Kenya won the men’s team gold ahead of Eritrea with Ethiopia third.

Complete reports of the men’s and women’s races to follow.

Click here for RESULTS

IAAF

World Half Marathon Stats: By Ken Nakamura

World Half Marathon Championships stats – women

The women's race with difference of 1 sec, was closest ever in history of World Half.

Previously min difference between first and second was 2 sec in 1993 and 2006

ETH won gold and silver for the first time. Previously only KEN and ROU won multiple medals at World Half.

It was only second 1-2 finish by athletes from the same nation. In 2009 Keitany and Ongori of KEN finish gold and silver

It was only second gold for ETH women (individual) at World Half. First was Adere in 2002

The winning time of 1:08:55 is the slowest since 2005 when 69:17 won the race

World Half Marathon stats – Men

The second 5Km was covered in 13:44, the second fastest 5Km split in the World Half

Zersenay Tadese became the five time Champion. Only he and Paul Tergat won this event more than once.

Chimsa won second silver medal for ETH. Jifar won silver for ETH in 2001.

(Haile won only Ethiopian gold in the same year)

KEN failed to win at least silver for the first time since 2005.

They won gold (Wilson Kiprop) last time and has won silver from 2006 to 2009

2:05 marathon runner Chimsa recorded a huge half marathon best of 1:00:51 (his previous best was 1:02:22)

Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) who finished 21st may be the fastest amateur runner (meaning he has

regular 40 hour/week non-running related job)

author: GRR