Course Records Fall At RAK

Kenyans Bedan Karoki and Fancy Chemutai broke the course records at the RAK Half Marathon by 58:42 and 1:04:52 respectively.

While seven men finished within one hour in Ras Al Khaimah, Karoki dipped under 59 minutes, improving his lifetime best by 28 seconds. Karoki’s 58:42 took ten seconds off the course record, and it was just 19 seconds shy of the world record.

It was Fancy Chemutai who beat the strong women’s field, missing the world record by one second. World record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, who was suffering the residual effects of flu over the past two weeks, could only take the fifth place. Caroline Kipkirui of Kenya set the 10 miles world best by 49:29 on her way to the last step on the podium.

Timing services in RAK Half Marathon were provided by the local Premier Timing, and Depar Timing acted as the Assisting Timing Company. Top ten finishers were as follows at the 2018 RAK Half Marathon;

Men:
1. Bedan Karoki (KEN) 58:42
2. Jemal Yimer (ETH) 59:00
3. Alex Kibet (KEN) 59:06
4. Jorum Okombo (KEN) 59:36
5. Morris Gachaga (KEN) 59:36
6. Wilfred Kimitei (KEN) 59:40
7. Edwin Kiptoo (KEN) 59:54
8. Benard Kimeli (KEN) 1:00:16
9. Vincent Rono (KEN) 1:00:24
10. Lelisa Desisa (ETH) 1:00:28

Women:
1. Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 1:04:52
2. Mary Keitany (KEN) 1:04:55
3. Caroline Kipkirui (KEN) 1:05:07
4. Joan Chelimo Melly (KEN) 1:05:37
5. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 1:06:46
6. Degitu Azimeraw Asires (ETH) 1:06:47
7. Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 1:06:49
8. Gladys Cherono (KEN) 1:07:13
9. Helen Tola Bekele (ETH) 1:07:47
10. Naom Jebet (KEN) 1:08:22