Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Kenya's Agnes Tirop breaks 10km record in Germany

Agnes Tirop

Netherlands' Sifan Hassan (right) crosses the finish line to win the race ahead of second-placed Kenya's Agnes Jebet Tirop (left) in the women's 5000m heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 30, 2021.

Photo credit: Jewel Samad | AFP

What you need to know:

  • In the Vienna City Marathon, Vibian Chepkirui bagged victory in the women’s race after clocking 2:24.29 ahead of Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke who timed 2:25:31 while Burka Gelete also from Ethiopia sealed the podium in 2:25:38.

Kenya's Agnes Tirop is the new world record holder in 10km road race after clocking 30:01 during the Adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany Sunday.

The event saw athletes participate in the men’s and women’s half marathon race, men’s and women’s 10km road race and the 5km road race in both categories.

Tirop, who took the charge in the last two kilometres, managed to shake off her compatriots before crossing the line, lowering Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui record time of 30:29 set in New York in 2002.

Tirop, who was fourth in the 5,000m race during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan said that the record came as a surprise to her.

“I’m delighted by my performance because I didn’t expect to run a world record time. This is a good start as we start another season,” said Tirop after the race.

Sheila Chepkurui came in second after running 30:17, while Nancy Jelagat sealed the podium in 30:50.

In the men’s 10km road race, Kenya's Rhonex Kipruto clocked the second fastest time this season after timing 26:43 ahead of Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku, who clocked 26:56, while Kennedy Kimutai was third in 27:09.

It was a clean sweep for Kenyans in the 21km men’s race after Abel Kipchumba bagged victory running in 58:48 ahead of his compatriots Alexander Mutiso (59:20) and Amos Kibiwott (59:34) who were in second and third respectively.

Brenda Jepleting won in the women’s category clocking 66:52 ahead of Ethiopia’s Besu Sado who clocked 68:14, while Brilliant Kipkoech settled for third in 68:28.

In the Vienna City Marathon, Vibian Chepkirui bagged victory in the women’s race after clocking 2:24.29 ahead of Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke who timed 2:25:31 while Burka Gelete also from Ethiopia sealed the podium in 2:25:38.

In the men’s 42km race, Ethiopia’s Derara Hurisa was disqualified after running the race with shoes that were not compliant. He had won the race in 2:09:22 ahead of Kenya’s Leonard Langat who timed 2:09:25 while Betesfa Getahun from Ethiopia was third in 2:09:42.

Elsewhere, Hellen Obiri bagged victory in the Great North Run Half Marathon in the United Kingdom.

Obiri crossed the line in 67:42 ahead of Great Britain’s Eilish Mcolgan, who clocked 67:48 with her compatriot Charlotte Purdue emerging third in 68:49. Sharon Lokedi from Kenya was fourth in 69:53.

Obiri, the two-time 5,000m world champion, has had a successful season after winning silver in the just concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in her specialty.

A number of athletes participated in the race after it was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic with participants starting and finishing the race in Newcastle, a course that was changed for the first time for the last 40 years.

In the men’s category, Marc Scott from Great Britain bagged victory after timing 61:22 with Kenya’s Edwin Cheserek coming in second place clocking 61:31 while USA’s Galen Rupp was third with 61:51.