Kimeli fastest in Discovery Half Marathon

Frankfurt Marathon fourth place finisher Peter Kimeli Some won the men’s race at the 22nd edition of the Discovery Kenya Half Marathon in Eldoret on Sunday.

Kimeli employed a bold tactic, staying in a pack of six athletes but broke off at the 18th kilometre mark.

Kimeli, who comes Kapchumba village in Nandi North and trains individually at Kapsabet, timed 63 minutes, 06 seconds for victory.

In a race run under warm conditions in Eldoret, Kimeli, who is younger brother of 2008 World Cross Country Championships silver medalist, Mathew Kisorio, was followed by Baringo Half Marathon runner-up Jackson Limo who timed 63.18 for second place, while Nairobi Half Marathon winner Victor Kipchirchir came third in a personal best of 63.33 minutes.

Excellent conditions

Kimeli, 23, said the race was run in excellent conditions, unlike last year’s edition where he finished fourth in a race won by his brother Kisorio.

“This was a good race for me as I prepare for this year’s edition of the Lisbon Half Marathon next week,” said Kimeli, who took up to four months preparing for the race.

Others who participated in the race were Allan Kiprono (63.41), Thomas Ekiru (64.01), John Lotiang’ (64.02), Benson Moto (64.08), Laban Mutai (64.15), Robert Chemosin (64.21) and Anthony Maritim (64.24).

Athletics Kenya deputy president, Jack Tuwei, praised organisers for the race for helping nurture young talent.

“We are very glad that many runners are coming out of such races. We should endevour to support such races in future to help bulid our athletes” said Tuwei.

Elsewhere, Japanese runner Yuki Kawauchi broke his previous personal best and a meet record to beat London Olympian Kentaro Nakamoto in the last two kilometres and win the Beppu-Oita marathon.

Kawauchi emerged victorious in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle against compatriot Nakamoto after 28 kilometres before taking the lead at around the 40km point to cross the finishing line in two hours eight minutes 15 seconds.

Nakamoto also set his personal best of 2:08:35 to finish second, followed by compatriot Kenji Higashino third in 2:12:13.

Discovery race results: 1. Peter Kimeli Some (63.06), 2. Jackson Limo (63.18), 3. Victor Kipchirchir (63.33), 4. Allan Kiprono (63.41), 5. Thomas Ekiru (64.01), 6.

John Lotiang (64.02), 7. Benson Motto (64.08), 8. Laban Mutai (64.1), 9. Robert Chemosin (64.21), 10. Anthony Maritim (64.24), 11. Ibrahim Kipsang (64.26), 12. Daniel Keitany (64.31), 13. Stephen Kiprotich (64.41),14. Gilbert Yegon (64.430, 15. Stephen Kiplagat (64.44).  

“I’m really happy about my new personal best and a new meet record,” said Kawauchi, 25.

“I was able to set (the new record) because Nakamoto ran aggressively,” he added.

Kawauchi failed to clear the bottom line of running under 2:07:59 set by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations for a place in the world championships in Moscow in August but still has a chance to qualify.

“I was a bit slower than 2:07:59, but I’m satisfied with my time,” said Kawauchi.

“I had been always under pressure, but today, running with Nakamoto who was sixth in the London Olympics, I felt no pressure.

“Hopefully, I can compete against him again in the world championships in Moscow,” he added.