21º Half Marathon of Rio de Janeiro 2017 ends With two Brazilian men’s championship After a fierce contest,

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – With pleasant temperatures in a typical Carioca winter, two Brazilians and two Ethiopians fought for the title. Brazil's José Márcio Leão won the 21st Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon on Sunday morning (20), leaving Brazil with the highest place on the podium for the second consecutive year

In the women's first cross the finish line was Kenyan Esther Kakuri, who debuted on the right foot in the competition.

The event is considered the most beautiful of the national calendar, passing through the main beaches of Cidade Maravilhosa, such as the famous Ipanema and Copacabana, and gathered thousands of athletes from 26 countries.

José Márcio completed the 21,097 meters between São Conrado Beach and Aterro do Flamengo, with a time of 1h04min18sec, a few steps ahead of the Ethiopian Demiso Gudeta and only 4 seconds of the Brazilian Damião Ancelmo de Souza. In the men's elite the test was very balanced and strategy for the athlete of only 26 years.

"I started the test determined to pull the peloton and I did it in 96% of the race, when I arrived in the final 900 meters I opened a little and in the last 200 meters I shot myself to the finish line, which worked," said José Márcio Who trained 28 consecutive days in Juazeiro do Norte with a focus on the competition. In 2016, the athlete Giovani dos Santos was the one who guaranteed the 1st place for Brazil.

For the first time in the Rio Half Marathon, Kenyan Esther Kakuri crossed the finish line in style. At just 23, Esther, who finished the course in 1h14min44sec, felt at home with the receptivity of the Brazilian fans.

"The humid climate was perfect for running, moreover, the energy of the people I passed was contagious," said Esther, who finished the race in 1h14min44sec and plans to run the Half Marathon in 2018.

Results 2017

Male
1) José Márcio Leão da Silva (BRA) 1h04min18sec
2) Demiso Legese Gudeta (ETH) 1h04min18se
3) Damião Ancelmo de Souza (BRA) 1h04min22sec
4) Bead Adere Tola (ETH) 1h04min29sec
5) Gladson Alberto da Silva Barbosa (BRA) 1h05min21sec

Female
1) Esther Chesang Kakuri (QUE) 1h14min44sec
2) Martha Akeno (QUE) 1h15min01sec
3) Joziane da Silva Cardoso (BRA) 1h16min36sec
4) Adriana Aparecida da Silva (BRA) 1h17min10sec
5) Andreia Aparecida Hessel (BRA) 1h17min34sec

Wheel Chair

Male
1) Leonardo de Melo (BRA), 52min14sec
2) Heitor dos Santos (BRA), 58min42sec
3) Wellington Adriano Antunes de Souza June (BRA), 59min16sec

Female
1) Aline dos Santos Rocha (BRA) 54min45sec
2) Maria de Fátima Chaves (BRA), 59min07sec
3) Vanessa Cristina de Souza (BRA), 59min11sec

All Champions *: 

2017 – José Márcio Leão (BRA), 1h04min18sec / Esther Kakuri (WH) 1h14min44sec
2016 – Giovani dos Santos (BRA), 1h04min47sec / Joziane Cardoso (BRA), 1h17min58sec
2015 – Edwin Kipsang Rotich (QUE), 1h02min25sec / Nancy Kiprop (QUE), 1h12min37sec
2014 – Leul Aleme (ETH), 1h03min44sec / Nancy Kiprop (QUE), 1h13min13sec
2013 – Geoffrey Mutai (QUE), 59min57sec / Nancy Kiprop (QUE), 1h11min52sec

2012 – Wilson Erupe (QUE), 1h01min46s / Paskalia Chepkorir (QUE), 1h07min17s
2011 – Mark Korir (QUE), 1h01min33s / Eunice Kirwa (QUE), 1h10min29s
2010 – Joshua Kemei (QUE), 1h04min02s / Eunice Kirwa (QUE), 1h14min37s
2009 – Elias Kemboi (QUE), 1h02min51s / Eunice Kirwa (QUE), 1h14min07s

2008 – Marilson Gomes (BRA), 1h03m12s / Maria Zeferina Baldaia (BRA) 1h13m40s
2008 – Zersenay Tadese (ERI), 59min56s / Lornah Kiplaga (HOL), 1h08min37s – Half-Marathon World Championship **
2007 – Franck Caldeira (BRA), 1h03m07s / Ednalva Laureano (BRA), 1h12m15s
2006 – Franck Caldeira (BRA), 1h03m26s / Marizete Rezende (BRA), 1h14m23s
2005 – Biwott Kipkosqei (QUE), 1h02m48s / Sirlene Pinho (BRA), 1h14m21s
2004 – John Gwako (QUE), 1h02m11s / Rita Jeptoo (QUE), 1h14m25s
2003 – Philip Rugut (QUE), 1h03m44s / Anne Jelagat (QUE), 1h14m53s
2002 – Philip Rugut (QUE), 1h03m03s / Anne Jelagat (QUE), 1h13m49s
2001 – João Baptista N'Tyamba (ANG), 1h03m31s / Selma dos Reis (BRA), 1h15m02s
2000 – John Gwako (QUE), 1h01m48s * / Margaret Okayo (QUE), 1h11m22s *
1999 – Luiz A. dos Santos (BRA), 1h03m40s / Margaret Okayo (QUE), 1h12m07s
1998 – John Gwako (QUE), 1h01m49s / Martha Tenório (EQU), 1h11m40s
1997 – Tomix da Costa (BRA), 1h04m04s / Ornela Ferraro (ITA), 1h14m53s  

* Proofreaders – 2013 – Geoffrey Mutai (QUE) – 59min57s / 2012 – Paskalia Chepkorir (QUE) – 1h07min17s
** In 2008 the IAAF Half Marathon World Championship was held, with the titles being with Zersenay Tadese (ERI), 59min56s / Lornah Kiplaga (HOL), 1h08min37s

More information on the official website, www.meiamaratonadoriodejaneiro.com.br /www.riodejaneirohalfmarathon.com.br  

Rodolfo Eichler