Ethiopia’s Atsedu Tsegay won the men’s elite event with a new race record, while Florence Kiplagat of Kenya finished on top in the women’s category of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.
Tsegay clocked 59.10 seconds beating the previous record of 59.15 held by Deriba Merga since 2008.
“The competition was good as there were some quality athletes. I am happy to be the champion,” Tsegay said.
Meanwhile, Kiplagat finished the race with the timing of 1.07.58.
“For me it was slow due to the fact that I could not arrive in time due to flight problem. So there was no to time to get used to the weather here,” said Kiplagat.
Kiplagat was seen vomiting just after she reached the finishing line.
“I was not feeling well. I pushed myself in the last five kilometres of the race. But it was a nice experience for me,” she said.
Last year’s winner Edwin Kipyego finished eighth.
Geoffrey Kipsang of Kenya came second with the timing of 59:30 while his compatriot Wilson Kiprop finished in third position after clocking 59:49 seconds.
In the women’s elite category, it was an all-Kenyan affair as Gladys Cherono came second with 1:08:03 and Lucy Kabuu finished third with the timing of 1:08:10.
Winners of the elite category pocketed Rs. 2.5 lakh.
Among Indian athletes, Preeja Sreedharan was the top finisher after she clocked 1:20:04.
Among the men, G. Laxman finished with a timing of 1:04:44.
