Euthopian athelete Regasa, Kenyan runner Cheptai bag Delhi Half Marathon titles; Sable best Indian

NEW DELHI: Ethiopia's Chala Regasa and Kenya's Irene Cheptai emerged winners in the Delhi Half Marathon 2022 — a World Athletics Elite Label Race —clocking 60:30 and 66.42 min, respectively here on Sunday.

It was a photo finish in the 'Indian Elite' men's category between defending champion Avinash Sable and Kartik Kumar, with the duo clocking identical 64 minutes. But it was Sable who was declared the winner by the technical officials of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) after examining the footage.

There were no surprises in the Indian women's elite section, where Sanjivani Jadhav bagged the crown after two previous podium finishes.

Regasa, 25, came out on top in a thrilling three-man battle over the final kilometre, sprinting away from Kenya's Felix Kipkoech and fellow Ethiopian Boki Diriba with 400 metres to go to take the USD27,000 prize purse.

Kipkeoch finished second in 60:33 while debutant Diriba, the 18-year-old Ethiopian U20 5000m champion, was third in 60:34. The leading trio passed 20km in 57:31 and duelled almost all the way to the finish line at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

"The final two kilometres were tough, but I knew I had the speed to come out in front as I have a good background at shorter distances on the track," said Regasa, who was formerly a top-class middle-distance runner.

By contrast, the International women's race was a one-woman show. Cheptai made a decisive move just after 12 kilometres and was never challenged before reducing her personal best by one second to 66:42. Cheptai, who was in fourth place last time, finished more than a minute in front of Ethiopia's 2022 World Athletics Championships 5000m bronze medallist Dawit Seyaum, who was second in 68:02. Stella Chesang set a Ugandan record of 68:11 in third place.

Returning to the venue where he became the first Indian to complete the half marathon in under 61 minutes in 2020, Sable said his plan was a little different this year.

Srinu Bugatha, a regular marathon runner, finished third in 01:05:25. He was in a challenge with Man Singh (01:05:43) after Sable and Karthik broke away early. "I had to maintain my own pace as Sable and Karthik broke away at the start," Bugatha said.

Sanjivani was well ahead of the Indian pack right from the start and was hardly challenged by Monika Athare and Priti Lamba who finished second and third respectively.

Sanjivani clocked 01:17:53 while Monika timed 01:18:39 and Priti finished at 01:19:06. IANS

Also Read: Chennaiyin FC hold Bengaluru FC in Hero Indian Super League

Also Watch: