Since Mary Keitany returned from maternity leave in early 2014, she has not lost a race. She maintained her unbeaten run when she won the RAK (Ras Al Khaimah)  Half Marathon in a super-quick 1:06:02 on Friday 13 2015.

It was the fastest time of the season (2015) and the third fastest of all time. Keitany previously set the world record at this event at the same venue in 2011 before her record was broken by compatriot Florence Kiplagat. Keitany is now showing her intent to reclaim this record.

Keitany, Cynthia Limo and Josephine Chepkoech as well as Ethiopia’s Mamitu Daska started the race at world record pace and went through 10km in 31:07. This was one second faster than Florence Kiplagat’s split in Barcelona last year prior to her clocking a world record 1:05:12.

Limo and Chepkoech dropped away by the 15km mark leaving Keitany and Daska who passed the 15km checkpoint in 46:41.

Keitany then shook off Daska but also fell off world record pace. Daska finished second in 1:06:27, a new Ethiopian record.

Mens race

The mens race was won by Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew winning a three-man battle for the line in 1:00:05. Kenyan Daniel Wanjiru was second and Jonathan Maiyo third in 1:00:06 and 1:00:07. Eliud Kipchoge, the pre-race favourite was sixth in 1:00:50