What Range: Sifan Hassan Runs 1:05:15 European Record at Copenhagen Half, Kejelcha’s Debut a Success 59:17
by LetsRun.com
September 16, 2018
To say the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan’s jump to the half-marathon was a success is an understatement as Hassan ran 1:05:15 to win the 2018 Copenhagen Half Marathon and set a new European record. The mark was way better than both Lornah Kiplagat’s former European record on a non-aided course of 1:06:25, and Paula Radcliffe’s 1:05:39 on an aided course.
Coming into the race, Hassan’s Nike Oregon Project coach Alberto Salazar had said he could see her “running between 69 and 70 minutes (in Copenhagen) although she has not been training specifically for a half marathon,” but Hassan threw caution to the wind and ran with the leaders from the start.
Hassan at finish
Joan Chelimo Melly of Kenya was the aggressor and took it out in a super quick 15:06 for the first 5000, but Hassan was with her then. At 10k, they slowed to 30:36 but were still on world record pace (30:44). Hassan would get dropped by Melly on a few occasions, but they were together at 15k (46:09, 3 seconds off of 46:06 world record pace). Both women would slow to the finish, but it was Melly who paid the biggest price, as Hassan came back by her and cruised to victory in 1:05:15, as Melly finished a minute back fading to third and Ababel Yeshaneh Brihane of Ethiopia got 2nd.
On the men’s side, Daniel Kipchumba of Kenya won his second big half marathon of the year as he prevailed in a tighter men’s race over Abraham Kiptum. Until this year Kipchumba was a mediocre steepler in Kenya (8:30 pb). He took a crack at the half marathon in Verbania, Italy, in April and won that in 59:06 and matched that time in Copenhagen.
Nike Oregon Project team member Yomif Kejelcha, who ran 12:46 for 5000 earlier two weeks ago, had a great half-marathon debut, running 59:17, which is the fastest ever by an NOP member. He was with leaders until just before 20km.
QT: What Range by Hassan
Hassan ran 1:56 for 800 last year. This year she has run 1:59, 4:14 for the mile, 8:27 for 3k, 14:22 for 5k, and 65:15 for the half. Incredible range.
*More results here. Great job of results, providing live video on one site by race website.
Men’s Top 10
1 Daniel Kipchumba KEN 59:06
2 Abraham Kiptum KEN 59:09
3 Jemal Yimer Mekonnen ETH 59:14
4 Yomif Kejelcha ETH 59:17
5 Felix Kibitok KEN 59:21
6 Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo KEN 59:28
7 Lelisa Desisa 59:52
8 Dominic Kiptarus KEN 59:55
9 Asefa Mengstu Negewo ETH 1:00:01
10 Betesfa Getahun ETH 1:00:26
Women’s top 10
1 Sifan Hassan NED 1:05:15
2 Ababel Yeshaneh Brihane EH 1:05:46
3 Joan Chelimo Melly KEN 1:06:15
4 Zeineba Yimer ETH 1:06:21
5 Ruth Chepngetich KEN 1:07:02
6 Bekelech Gudeta Borech ETH 1:07:03
7 Hiwot Gebrekidan Gebremaryam ETH 1:07:36
8 Meseret Belete ETH 1:07:51
9 Meskerem Assefa ETH 1:08:34
10 Belaynesh Oljira ETH 1:08:36
Discuss: 2018 Copenhagen Half Live Thread