Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir sets world mark in half marathon

The previous record of 1:06:11 was set by Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia in 2018 at the world half marathon championships in Valencia, Spain.

Peres Jepchirchir poses after smashing the women's only half marathon world record.

Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya set a world record in the women’s only race in the half marathon, clocking 1 hour, 5 minutes and 34 seconds.

The 26-year-old Jepchirchir broke away from a small field of runners after about 20 minutes and was cruising at the 16.5-lap course in the Czech capital’s Letna Park on Saturday morning.

 

The previous record of 1:06:11 was set by Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia in 2018 at the world half marathon championships in Valencia, Spain.

"I was thinking to run maybe 1:04:50, but I’m so happy," Jepchirchir said.