Kenya's Kibiwott Kandie smashes half marathon world record in Valencia

Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie smashed the half marathon world record by 29 seconds at the Valencia Half Marathon. [World Athletics via Medio Maraton Valencia: Twitter]

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Kandie, who finished second at the world half marathon championships in Gdynia in October, finished the Spanish annual race in 57 minutes and 32 seconds, breaking the previous record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September 2019.

WORLD RECORD

Kenya's Kibiwott Kandie smashes the half marathon world record in 57:32.

Top four finishers all under the previous record. Outstanding. — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) ="https://twitter.com/WorldAthletics/status/1335499271823626242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2020<

The top four men all ran under the previous world best, with Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finishing second in 57:37, Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto third in 57:49 and Kenyan Alexander Mutiso taking fourth place in 57:59.

Kandie, 24, led the chasing pack, which included reigning world champion Kiplimo, through the 15-kilometre mark in 41:10.

The pair traded the lead over the next six km before Kandie made the decisive move, to finish more than a minute off his previous personal best of 58:37.

Kandie smashes half marathon world record in Valencia.

Flash report????

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Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba won the women’s race in 1:05:18, setting the fastest time for a debut over the distance.