Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei and Dinkalem Ayele from Ethiopia won the 33rd edition of the Lisbon Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race.
Racing in warm and humid conditions, Kosgei clocked 1:05:51 to claim the women’s crown, finishing more than three minutes ahead of Ethiopian Bosena Mulatie, while Ayele held off Kenya’s Dominic Kiptarus to win the men’s race, 1:00:36 to 1:00:40.
In a tune-up race before the London Marathon, Kosgei confirmed her status of favorite, storming to the win just before the 10k point, to finish with a comfortable margin.
“This was a preparation for London Marathon next month. I’m really happy, I appreciate what I have run today. Thanks to organizers, I appreciate what you have done. I’m feeling very happy, because I come with my kids. They celebrated with me, because I won the race. They were really, really happy for what I did”
Mulatie was second, in 1:09:00, with the Ethiopian Tigist Menigstu completing the podium, in 1:09:14.
In the men’s race, Ayele formed part of an five-strong pack that reached 10km in 28:35 and stayed together until the 20km mark, when he stormed to the victory. In the end, the 23 year-old Ethiopian won four seconds ahead of Kiptarus and 20 ahead Amanal Petros, the best European in the field today.
Besides the elite race, more than 13.000 runners finished the emblematic half marathon that started from the 25 de Abril Bridge, plus almost 10.000 in the 10K race.
