Kipkogei, Cheserek smash course records to complete Kenyan double in Mainz
Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 11.05.26. | 08:32
It was the third time in a row that both course records were broken in the German's second biggest half marathon
Rising long-distance star Dennis Kipkogei smashed the course record at the Gutenberg Mainz Half Marathon on Sunday, 10 May, going under an hour for the first time in the history of the race.
Clocking 59:14, the Kenyan placed the German race firmly on the international map for high-class half-marathon racing.
The only national half-marathon that currently produces faster results than Mainz is Berlin.
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It was only Kipkogei’s second race outside Kenya after finishing runner-up at the Berlin Half Marathon in March, where he ran most of the distance as a pacemaker.
After his stunning performance in the German capital, the 24-year-old showed that this was not a one-off.
Kipkogei could well become Kenya’s next great long-distance runner.
In Mainz, he was more than a minute ahead of his rival, fellow Kenyans Kelvin Kipruto, who ran his debut, and Jamal Kiprono, who took second and third with 60:25 and 60:29, respectively.
It was the third time in a row that both course records were broken in Mainz as Kenya’s Beatrice Cheserek took the women’s race with 68:02.
Blanka Dörfel secured a strong second place, significantly improving her personal best.
The 24-year-old crossed the line in 68:06, making her the sixth-fastest German ever over the half-marathon distance.
Ethiopian Emebet Kebede Dessie followed in third with 69:01.
“We are very pleased that we were able to break both course records for the third time. A winning time of under an hour is, of course, something special. With that result, we are currently the eleventh-fastest half-marathon in the world this year, which is quite an achievement,” said Race Director Jo Schindler.
The initial pace of the men’s leading group was very fast and the first split times even suggested finishing times of well under 59:00.
As expected, Kipkogei broke away after around 10km and then built a substantial lead.
It was only in the final kilometres that the Kenyan was unable to maintain his blistering pace in warm weather, narrowly missing his personal best of 59:11 from Berlin.
“I came here to break the course record and I am happy that I managed it. I had a problem with my hamstring so my body did not feel that good. Otherwise, I could have run even faster,” said Kipkogei, who improved the previous course record of 60:50 by over a minute and a half to 59:14. “If I am selected, I will compete at the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen in September.
In the women’s race, Joan Chepleting initially broke away from the leading group in the early stages.
However, the Kenyan overpaced and was unable to hold on. Shortly before the 10km mark, she was caught by the group behind her.
A duel then developed between the favourite, Cheserek, and the surprisingly strong Dörfel.
In the final kilometres, the Kenyan who was also the fastest runner on the start list with a personal best of 66:48, opened a gap and won the race.
“I am delighted with this victory. My next goal is to run in the World Half Marathon Championships and after that, I plan to run an autumn marathon,” said Cheserek.
Clocking 68:02 in Mainz she improved the former course record of 68:52 significantly.
Dörfel surprised even herself with the major improvement of her PB, from 69:46 to 68:06.
“I just ran a pace at which I felt good and did not bother about split times at all. When I looked at the clock on the home straight, I was completely surprised by the time. I have never felt so good in a race before,” said Dörfel, who is now likely to run the 10,000m at the European Championships in Birmingham this summer.
“After that, I would very much like to compete in the World Half Marathon Championships. And in the autumn, I plan to run my marathon debut.” The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on 25 October is an option for Blanka Dörfel.
Men:
1. Dennis Kipkogei KEN 59:14
2. Kelvin Kipruto KEN 60:25
3. Jamal Kiprono KEN 60:29
4. Joshua Mengich KEN 60:36
5. Jonathan Kamosong KEN 60:53
6. Edward Koonyo KEN 61:07
7. Enos Saat KEN 61:18
8. Benard Kimeli KEN 61:27
Women:
1. Beatrice Cheserek KEN 68:02
2. Blanka Dörfel GER 68:06
3. Emebet Kebede Dessie ETH 69:01
4. Orba Chemurgor KEN 69:21
5. Joan Chepleting KEN 70:03
6. Margaret Monicah KEN 71:32