by Alfonz Juck
Netsanet Gudeta Kebede winning IAAF World Half in Valencia, photo by Jean Paul Durand/IAAFGudeta women only WR
VALENCIA (ESP, Mar 24): Ethiopia’s Netsanet Gudeta set a women’s only world record of 66:11 (15:39 5km, 31:38 10km, 47:30 15km, 62:53 20km) to win the gold medal at the World Half Marathon Championships ahead of Kenyans WR holder Joyciline Jepkosgei (66:54) and Pauline Kamulu (66:56 PB). Gudeta sliced 14 seconds off Lornah Kiplagat’s 11-year-old women’s only world record and also set a world 20km record of 62:53 en route. With Zeineba Yimer and Meseret Belete finishing fifth (68:07 PB) and sixth (68:09 PB) respectively, Ethiopia also pipped Kenya for the team title with Bahrain taking the bronze medal. The top-13 finishers all broke the 70 minute-mark with Kenyan-born Lonah Chemtai Salpeter the first European finisher in 12th in an Israeli record of 68:58. Reigning world marathon champion Rose Chelimo from Bahrain faded to 14th in 70:20.
