1 Abraham Cheroben (BRN) 58:40 ©Copenhagen Half Marathon
Cheroben sizzles 58.40 world lead at Copenhagen half Marathon 2017
Abraham Cheroben clocked a world-leading 58:40 to win the Copenhagen Half Marathon. An event with perfect conditions for the fastest runners and rain thunder and lightning for the rest.
With the sizzling run, the 25-year-old from Bahrain became the third fastest man in history over the distance with the fourth fastest performance. Fast from the outset, a group of ten passed the 10 kilometre mark in 27:50, but six kilometres later the group was reduced to three. Only Kenyans Alex Oloitiptip Korio and the race's big surprise Jorum Okombo, followed suit.
But Cheroben forged on untouchable to eventually cross the line 27 seconds under the previous race record of 59:07 set last year. Okombo was second in 58:48 and Korio third in 58:51 to become equal sixth and eighth, respectively, all time. It was only the second time in history three runners finish under 59:00 in the same race.
5 runners under the previous course record
Eunice Chumba won the women's race in 1:06:11, a lifetime best for the 24-year-old Bahraini who led four other women under the previous race record. As in the men's race, the women passed the 10 km mark in a large group in 31:43, on pace for Hiwot Gebrekidan's 1:08:00 race record set last year. Chumba broke away in the waning stages to register a comfortable 14-seconds victory, with Kenyan Joan Chelimo Melly second in 1:06:25. Brigid Jepchirchir Kosgei also finished in under 1:07 clocking a lifetime best of 1:06:35 to finish third.
The weather changed
When the race kicked off at 11.15, the weather was at its best and the conditions were perfect for the fastest runners which can be seen in the incredible finish times. This changed dramatically one and a half hours later, when an aggressive downpour with lightning and thunder made the finish area flood and the power of the timetaking go out.
''The weather changed totally unexpected and when it kept going and a new surge of downpour was announced, we decided together with the police, that the race had to be cancelled. The people's safety was our top priority'' said Dorte Vibjerg, Administrative director in Sparta.
The bad weather resulted in calls of several ambulances because of light injuries.
The times were under control
A big part of the runners that reached the finish line saw a black time board due to a lightning strike shutting it off, but the problem has later been fixed.
''Luckily, we have 99% of all the runners' finish times due to our back-up system. The 1% that didn't get their time will get them eventually due to a precise estimate from the 20 kilometer mark'' Dorte Vibjerg announced.
A fantastic race despite the weather
Despite the weather and the unforeseen challenges CPH Half proved that the course is the fastest half marathon course in the world right now. Three runners under 59:00 minutes is historic and the organizers believe that the next world record will be set in the streets of the Danish capitol.
"Copenhagen Half Marathon is without any doubt the fastest half marathon in the world and that is now well know internationally. The course and the city are ready for a new world record, and we will get it. Maybe not next year but someday in the future. Copenhagen Half Marathon is the place to run if you want to run a fast half marathon," says Dorte Vibjerg.
Leading results at the Copenhagen Half Marathon 2017
Men
1 Abraham Cheroben (BRN) 58:40
2 Jorum Lumbasi Okombo (KEN) 58:48
3 Alex Oloitiptip Korio (KEN) 58:51
4 Albert Kipkosgei Kangogo (KEN) 59:25
5 Leonard Barsoton (KEN) 59:28
6 Moses Martin Kurong (UGA) 59:50
7 Geoffrey Kimutai Koech (KEN) 59:50
8 Shura Kitata (ETH) 1:00:10
9 Geoffrey Yegon (KEN) 1:00:16
10 Abrar Osman (ERI) 1:00:19
Women
1 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 1:06:11
2 Joan Chelimo Melly (KEN) 1:06:25
3 Brigid Jepchirchir Kosgei (KEN) 1:06.35
4 Roza Dereje (ETH) 1:07:23
5 Meskerem Assefa (ETH) 1:07:42
6 Agnes Barsosio (KEN) 1:08:21
7 Paskalia Chepkorir (KEN) 1:08:23
8 Desi Jisa Mokonin (BRN) 1:09:07
9 Yeshi Chekole (ETH) 1:09:13
10 Sara Hall (USA) 1:09:37
All results from the race can be found here
See a lot of impressive photos from the race here
Martin van Dijk
Telefon: 26 29 26 91
E-mail: martin@sparta.dk
Sparta Athletics and running
Gunner Nu Hansens Plads 11
2100 Copenhagen ø
Telefon: 35266900
E-mail: sparta@sparta.dk
Internet: https://cphhalf.dk