Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui and Rodrigue Kwizera from Burundi, who has become a naturalised Spanish citizen, won the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain on Sunday with times of 1:03:51 and
58:03, respectively, according to results published by World Athletics.
Chepkirui finished one second ahead of her compatriot Diana Wanza, who came in second in 1:03:52, while Daisilah Jerono rounded out the podium in 1:04:11, setting a personal best.
The top six female runners all finished in under 65 minutes, a first in the race’s history. Thanks to her time, Chepkirui moves into a tie for fifth place on the all-time world rankings, while Wanza climbs to sixth place.
In the men’s race, Kwizera finished ahead of Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, who came in second in 58:09, and Kenya’s Victor Kipruto, who finished third in 58:12. His time of 58:03 sets a Spanish record but cannot be recognized as a European record, as his change of athletic nationality from Burundi to Spain has not yet been officially validated, according to World Athletics.
Frankfurt Marathon: Yimer and Dinki Triumph
At the Frankfurt Marathon in Germany on Sunday, Ethiopians Zeineba Yimer and Jirata Dinki won the women’s and men’s races, respectively, in 2:19:45 and 2:05:26.
In the women’s race, Germany’s Blanka Dörfel took second place in 2:20:46 in her first marathon, ahead of Ethiopia’s Beriha Gebreslasie, who finished third in 2:22:46.
In the men’s race, Germany’s Amanal Petros finished second in 2:05:46, while Kenyan Benard Biwott, the 2024 race winner, placed third in 2:06:23.
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