Kenya’s Kiplimo will take part in the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon. Will he break the record?
The start list of the thrilling Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon is full of big names and future global stars. Kenyan Philemon Kiplimo, a member of the RunCzech Racing team, will also be seen at Prague’s fast course on Saturday, April 2. In addition to the eighth man of the world tables with a personal best of 58:11, his compatriots Kennedy Kimutai and Keneth Renju will be among the favorites for the victory. The best known Czech athlete on the course will be Jiří Homoláč. Among women, the contenders are Brenda Jepleting and Irine Cheptai from Kenya, with strong running also being expected from Petra Kamínková and Hana Homolková from the Czech Republic.
Fast course, inspiring landscape, electrifying atmosphere. There are some key factors that are of importance for long-distance running. This is why not only tourists like to visit Prague. Long-distance runners also love the Czech capital. In the last 5 years, the world record has been broken on five occasions here, at home. In the half marathon in September 2020, during the middle pandemic, Kenyan Peres Jepchirchi took care of it in time 1:05:34.
Twenty-three-year-old Philemon Kiplimo will be making another personal best effort, trying to improve on the time he ran in Valencia two years ago. The winner of the half marathons in Boston and Bahrain celebrated second place in the Czech Republic two years ago and will be looking for a victory.
His great opponent will certainly be his compatriot Kennedy Kimutai, ranked 11th on the World Athletics all-time half marathon list. Last year, he shined at the half marathon in Valencia, where he was fourth with 58:28. Another athlete to watch for is Keneth Renju, placed just four places below (7 seconds) Kennedy and aiming at the podium.
The best Czech endurance runner, Jiří Homoláč (1:03:23) is going to keep pace with the rest of the field.
The record of the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon is held by Ethiopian Atsedu Tsegay, who in 2012 stormed through the course in a time of 58:47.
Among the women, Kenyan Irine Cheptai and Nelly Jepchumba and, especially, Brenda Jepleting are expected to fight for the top positions. The 25-year-old member of the RunCzech Racing team, who managed the half marathon breakthrough in Valencia last year in 1:05:44, is being spoke as the future star of Kenya long distance running and as someone who should be kept a close eye on.
Among the women, Kenyan Irine Cheptai and Nelly Jepchumba and especially Brenda Jepleting are expected to fight for the top positions. The 25-year-old member of the RunCzech Racing team, who managed the half marathon in Valencia last year in 1:05:44, speaks of it as the future star of long distance running.
The Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon which starts at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 2, after two years of Covid-19 related break, will send a strong message of peace. Among other activities, the organizers plan to hand out symbolic bracelets in Ukrainian national colours before the start.
Limited number of spare registrations for the race are available and it is possible to register at www.runczech.com.
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