Fastest Field Ever Set For 9 February
15 men with sub-60 bests will hit the course at this year’s RAK Half Marathon while the world record holders of both marathon and half marathon will meet on the women’s side.
The race, promoted as the “World’s Fastest Half Marathon”, gathered a strong elite field once again staying true to its reputation. Jorum Lumbasi Okombo, who ran his PB of 58:48 last October, and the reigning RAK champion Bedan Karoki will line up on Friday, 9 February alongside 13 others who could go the distance faster than an hour. The Turkish distance star Ali Kaya is also entered in the race and will try to improve his career best of 1:00:16.
Two Kenyans with world record achievements within the last year are headlining the fast women’s field. Joyciline Jepkosgei who bettered her half marathon record to 1:04:51 in October and Mary Keitany, the new record holder of the women-only marathon by her 2:17:01 in London last April will clash with another nine women with sub-68 bests.
The event, held in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven Emirates that form the United Arab Emirates, utilises the timing services of the local Premier Timing, and Depar Timing acts as the Assisting Timing Company. The Depar Timing Team who will be in charge in RAK will fly to the Emirates on Wednesday, 7 February.
The outstanding elite field of the RAK Half Marathon 2018 is as follows;
Men: Jorum Lumbasi Okombo (KEN) 58:48, Guye Adola (ETH) 59:06, James Wangari (KEN) 59:07, Bedan Karoki (KEN) 59:10, Fikadu Haftu (ETH) 59:22, Josphat Tanui (KEN) 59:22, Albert Kangogo (KEN) 59:25, Augustine Choge (KEN) 59:26, Edwin Kiptoo (KEN) 59:26, Vincent Rono (KEN) 59:27, Leonard Barsoton (KEN) 59:28, Lelisa Desisa (ETH) 59:30, Alex Kibet (KEN) 59:32, Geoffrey Yegon (KEN) 59:44, Solomon Yego (KEN) 59:50, Shadrack Kimining (KEN) 1:00:07, Ali Kaya (TUR) 1:00:16.
Women: Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 1:04:51, Mary Keitany (KEN) 1:05:13, Fancy
Chemutai (KEN) 1:05:36, Edith Chelimo (KEN) 1:05:52, Gladys Cherono (KEN)
1:06:07, Eunice Chumba (BRN) 1:06:11, Joan Chelimo Melly (KEN) 1:06:25, Brigid
Kosgei (KEN) 1:06:35, Caroline Kipkirui (KEN) 1:06:48, Lucy Cheruiyot (KEN)
1:07:23, Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 1:07:44, Naomi Jebet (KEN) 1:08:44, Helen
Bekele Tola (ETH) 1:09:48.
