Mockenhaupt claims women’s title at Berlin Half Marathon – European Athletics (EAA) – News

German runner Sabrina Mockenhaupt gave the local spectators plenty to cheer about with an impressive win at the 29th Berlin Half-marathon with a personal best of 1:08:45.

Only Briton Mara Yamauchi has managed to register a faster timing, among European runners, this year with 1:08:29.

Apart from Mockenhaupt, not a single European athlete could manage a podium finish either in the men's or women's category.

The second and third in women's category went to Kenyans Hellen Kimutai (1:09:27) and Lydia Njeri (1:10:08).

World Cross Country bronze medalist 2007 in Mombasa Bernard Kipyego debuted at the distance with 59:34 win. Sammy Kosgei was second (59:36) and favorite Wilson Kipsang third (59:38).

Kipyego was ranked among the favourites before the race, even though he had never run a Half Marathon before. Two years ago he achieved an impressive third place at the World Cross Country Championships. In the same year of 2007 he ran a World-class time of 26:59.61 for 10,000m on the track.

Mockenhaupt prevailed in the women's race with a personal best of 1:08:45, ahead of Kenyans Hellen Kimutai (1:09:27) and Lydia Njeri (1:10:08).

It was shortly before the 15Km point when she finally broke away and then continually increased her lead. At the end Mockenhaupt had improved her personal best by six seconds and established a national season's lead.

The 28 year-old's next aim is to qualify for the World Championships in Berlin at 10,000m.

Conditions were ideal with 13° Centigrade, no rain and only a light breeze to disturb the elite runners. 21,725 runners from 85 countries entered the 29th edition of the race. A record number of 17,888 athletes finished.

More than 170,000 spectators lined the streets in the city centre.

Leading Results –
Men:
1. Bernard Kipyego KEN              59:34
2. Sammy Kosgei KEN                59:36
3. Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich KEN  59:38
4. Samuel Gichochi Mwangi KEN    59:55
5. Joseph Kiptoo KEN                60:13

Women:
1. Sabrina Mockenhaupt     GER   68:45
2. Hellen Kimutai             KEN    69:27
3. Lydia Njeri                   KEN    70:08
4. Alice Mogire                KEN    72:17
5. Selina Chelimo           KEN    73:21