Reline, Kipchirchir win Chemususu Dam half marathon

21 km men in action during a apst Chemususu dam half Marathon at Eldama Ravine in Baringo county .[Kipsang Joseph/Standard].

World Athletics Road Running (Half Marathon) bronze medallist, Catherine Reline and Anthony Kipchirchir are the new Chemususu Dam 21km race.

Reline upgraded her 2022 second place to top spot in the 2023 contest staged in Eldama Ravine on Saturday.

The 21-year-old was fresh from bagging bronze in Half Marathon at the World Running Championships in Riga. She finished behind Olympic Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir and Margaret Kipkemboi.

She ran a glorious race in the Chemususu Dam Half Marathon, leading from gun to finish.

"I had very little time to prepare well for the race because I had taken most of the time to rest after returning from Riga World Road Running Championships, Reline said.

Reline, who trains in Elgeyo Marakwet ran 72:18 on a challenging, hilly course. Daisy Cherotich took the crown last year.

"I challenged myself to try the course before resuming training. It feels good to win the race," said Reline after the win.

The hilly course proved a challenge and tested the resilience of the strong field.

Reline said she had tuned her sights on clinching a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics, looking to represent Kenya in the 10,000m race.

"I am set to compete in Brazil next month but my focus is on next year's Paris Olympics where I intend to represent my country," she said.

Winny Kimutai (74:19 and Edith Chepchumba (75:08) came in second and third respectively.

Kipchirchir, 19 upset a strong field in the men's field.

He had finished tenth at the Moi Kapsowar 10km race in May this year.

Kipchirchir, who trains in Iten cut the tape in 63:35 as Jackson Kipleting finished second in 64:09.
Emmanuel Bor finished third in 64:36.

"This was my first half marathon race. I trained on a hilly course in Iten so as to be among the top three athletes. My aim is to win international races and represent Kenya on the track where I specialise on 5000m," Kipchirchir said.