L. MathekaObiri ready for Istanbul return
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 02.03.22. | 17:47
The Kenyan headlines a stellar field that has four other sub 67 runners.
On the same course she made her half marathon debut not so long ago, Kenya's Hellen Obiri is set to return to the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon on 27 March.
The reigning World 5,000m Champion and World Cross Country Champion ran a spectacular debut at the Bosporus last year to finish third, clocking an unofficial world debut record of 64:51.
Racing under On Running, Obiri returns to Istanbul where she will be one of five women who feature personal bests of sub 67:00 on the field of the World Athletics Elite Label Road Race.
Next race - N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon on March 27th @istanbulhalfmarathon @ Istanbul, Turkey https://t.co/vs4V2SQu4D
— Hellen Obiri (@hellen_obiri) March 1, 2022
Her race in Istanbul comes hot on the heels of second-place finish in a competitive Ras Al Khaimah half marathon in the United Arab Emirates, in February. She improved her personal best to 64:22 making her the fifth fastest half marathon runner of all times.
Obiri who is now fully focused on road racing has gained some experience since her debut last year.
“I am happy to be returning to Istanbul. I ran my half marathon debut in this race last year and I hope I can improve both my position and my time on this occasion,“ said Obiri.
For competition, the two time Olympics silver medalist will have four Ethiopians all boasting sub 67:00 times.
Dünyanın en iyi yarı maratonları arasında yer alan N Kolay İstanbul Yarı Maratonu 27 Mart 2022 Pazar, 17. kez koşulacak.
— sportstv (@sportstv) February 28, 2022
Parkura çıkacak bazı elit atletler:
K͟a͟d͟ı͟n͟l͟a͟r͟
Hellen Obiri
Tsehay Gemechu
Hawi Feysa
EÍŸrÍŸkÍŸeÍŸkÍŸlÍŸeÍŸrÍŸ
Daniel Mateiko
Rodgers Kwemoi
Solomon Berihu pic.twitter.com/NSHwMW8Wks
The fastest of the Ethiopian quartet is Tsehay Gemechu who won last year’s Copenhagen half marathon with a strong PB of 65:08. The 23 year-old has an impressive half marathon record with four wins out of five races.
Hawi Feysa who was runner-up behind Gemechu in Copenhagen in September, when she clocked 65:41 in her debut half marathon is also on the list.
Nigsti Haftu and Bekelech Gudeta are the other two Ethiopians who will try to challenge Obiri. While Haftu has a PB of 66:17 Gudeta ran her personal record of 66:54 when she was seventh at the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon a year ago.
Obiri is looking forward to the challenge on the flat Istanbul course. “My training has been going on well but I know it will be a tough challenge as the field is very strong. I look forward to an exciting race in a beautiful city,“ Obiri added.
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