Matata, Chebet lead Kenya's dominance in Istanbul

Reigning Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) half marathon champion Alex Matata and his Malaga Half Marathon counterpart Miriam Chebet carried the day in this year's Istanbul Half, leading a Kenyan sweep in the women's race. 

According to Istanbul Yari Maratonu, the winners in both the men's and women's fields are set to bank $15,000 (Ksh1.9 million), second-place finishers will take home $10,000 (Ksh1.2 million), while athletes who complete the podium will earn $8,000 (Ksh1.03 million).

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Matata, who headed to the race as one of the favourites, clocked 59:40, going 20 seconds slower than his Personal Best (PB) but still finishing more than a minute ahead of his closest challenger, Ethiopia's Berehanu Tsegu (60:47). Compatriot Shadrack Kipkurui completed the podium places, coming home in 61:28. 

Matata had asked the Istanbul organisers for a sub-59 pace as the 27-year-old, who has shelved any marathon dreams for two years, was chasing his target of going under 58 minutes in the half marathon. 

While Haftu Teklu, who won the Seoul Marathon in March with 2:05:42, and was the fastest runner on the start list with a personal best (PB) of 59:06 was touted as the favourite and one of Matata's closest challengers, it was compatriot Tsegu, a 59:42 runner, who managed to follow the Kenyan home for second, denying Kenya a clean sweep. 

Meanwhile, in the women's race, Chebet ran her quickest time in the distance so far, clocking 66:07 to finish six seconds ahead of defending champion Sheila Chelangat (66:13) and the quickest entrant in the women's event, Judy Kemboi who timed 67:47 for a Kenyan sweep of the podium places. 

Defending champion Chelangat made a very early move starting to break away around the 5km mark. She passed this point in 15:28 which pointed towards a fast 65:20 finishing time.

She reached 10k in 31:05 and was eight seconds ahead of Chebet. Kemboi, who was the fastest on the start list with 65:43, was another 13 seconds behind and soon out of contention for victory. 

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Chebet, who was the seventh fastest on the start list with 66:43, closed the gap to Chelangat, catching up at 13km.

With four kilometers to go Chelangat took the lead again and dropped her rival. But on the final kilometer the 22 year-old Chebet came back once more and then passed the defending champion with less than 50 meters to go.

"I am really happy that I managed to win. The wind was not a problem for me, but it was hard to catch Sheila on the last few meters of the race,“ said Chebet, who celebrated her biggest career win in Istanbul and improved her PB significantly.

MEN:

Alex Matata KEN 59:40

Berehanu Tsegu ETH 60:47

Shadrack Kipkurui KEN 61:28

Mathew Samperu KEN 61:32

Sezgin Atac TUR 61:49

Aaron Bienenfeld GER 62:14

Laban Kipkemboi KEN 62:34

Gemechu Bute ETH 62:35

Silas Chepkwony KEN 63:47

Ali Kaya TUR 64:52

WOMEN:

Miriam Chebet KEN 66:07

Sheila Chelangat ETH 66:13

Judy Kemboi KEN 67:47

Daisilah Jerono KEN 68:17

Rebecca Chepkwemoi KEN 68:40

Gete Alemayehu KEN 68:42

Bekelech Borecha ETH 68:59

Hiwot Gebremaryam ETH 70:04

Betelihem Yemer ETH 70:10

Milicent Jelimo KEN 70:25