Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie reclaimed the Valencia Half Marathon title on Sunday, as he clinched the title with an imperious run, clocking 58.09.
Kandie won the title in 2020, clocking a new World Record time of 57.32, though the mark was later lowered by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo who ran a second lower last year.
Kandie had hoped to also fight back to hold the record, but he could not manage to run lower, though his finishing time ranks as the second fastest in the world this year.
Compatriot Daniel Mateiko finished third with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finishing second.
The women’s race was won by European 5000m champion, German Konstanze Klosterhalfen who clocked 65:41 on her debut.
The 25-year-old showed East African athletes dust to win the race in an impressive time of 1:05.41.
Tsigie Gebreselama and Hawi Feysa, both from Ethiopia settled for second and third-place finishes in 1:05.46 and 1:06.00 respectively.
The Kenyan duo of Agnes Ngolo and 2019 World Athletics Championship silver medalist Margaret Chelimo registered a 4th and 5th place positions respectively.
