Once again, top-class times were achieved in the 10 km race in Brasov, Romania. On the flat course, 19-year-old Ethiopian Khairi Bejiga triumphed in a surprise victory, clocking 26:54 minutes, the third-fastest time worldwide this year. In his first 10 km race, he missed the three-year-old course record set by Kenyan Nicolas Kipkorir (26:51) by just three seconds. Bejiga managed to pull away slightly from South African Maxime Chaumeton in the penultimate kilometre, who finished second in 26:55, just one second behind, setting a South African national record. Third place went to the Kenyan Cornelius Kemboi in 27:12.
In the women’s race, Medina Eisa, the world’s best over 10 km this year, narrowly won. The Ethiopian, who had already achieved a world-class time of 29:25 minutes this year, won the race in 30:28. The Kenyans Brenda Kenei and Mariam Njoki followed closely behind in second and third place in 30:29 and 30:31 respectively. Fourth-placed Yasemin Can of Turkey set a national record with a time of 30:36.
Originally, German 10 km record holder Konstanze Klosterhalfen (Bayer Leverkusen/30:46) was also on the start list for the race in Brasov. However, after a difficult season, she decided not to compete in the high-class competition in Romania.
Just one day after a severe storm, the half marathon in Cardiff, South Wales, took place with almost 30,000 runners. Ethiopian Yismasw Dillu caused a surprise: the 20-year-old not only won his debut race over 21.0975 km, but also set a course record with a time of 59:23 minutes. Dillu finished well ahead of Kenyan Ismael Kiprono (60:05) and his compatriot Fikadu Liche (60:34). The fastest woman was Miriam Chebet from Kenya in 66:37. She also had a clear lead over the Ethiopians Alem Negus (67:33) and Wudinesh Alemu (68:08).
Text: Jörg Wenig
Photo: Chiara Montesano / Brasov Running Festival
