Kiptanui after a previous race
Newcomer Erick Kiptanui won the Berlin Half Marathon in a superb time of 58:42 which was not only a new course record but was also the fifth fastest half marathon time ever. It was only the third time Kiptanui was runnning in a half marathon.
“It was my plan to run fast since I knew that the Berlin course is flat,” explained Erick Kiptanui, who is coached by the renowned Italian trainer Renato Canova.
Kiptanui was on world record pace until the 14km mark when a headwin slowed him down.
Incredibly, Kiptanui’s time is 12 seconds faster than Goffrey Kamworor has ever run. Yet Kamworor is a three time world champion in the half marathon.
Samuel Wanjiru still holds the Kenyan half marathon record at 58:33. He is second to world record holder, Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea.
Also amazing is that Kiptanui was previously a 1500m runner. A below par one at that. He was at the 2016 Africa athletics championships where he finished sixth.
Results
1. Eric Kiptanui: 00:58:42
2. Emmanuel Kiprono: 01:00:29
3. Richard Mengich: 01:00:36
4. Gilbert Masai: 01:00:38
5. Noah Kigen: 01:01:02
6. Ambrose Bore: 01:01:03
7. Frederick Kipkosgei: 01:02:13
8. Homiyu Tesfaye: 01:02:13
9. Jaouad Tugane: 01:02:19
10. Dominic Mibei: 01:02:24
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