http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/athletics/1019171-tadese-s-world-half-marathon-run-ended-by-kamworor-but-eritrean-s-find-a-golden-lining
Tadese's World Half Marathon run ended by Kamworor - but Eritreans find a
golden lining
Saturday, 29 March 2014
*By Mike Rowbottom in Copenhagen*
March 29 - Zersenay Tadese, the dominant force in men's half marathon
running for almost a decade, was finally run out of the medals here in the
IAAF/Al-Bank Half Marathon Championships as he finished fourth in a race
won by Kenya's Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor in 59.07, the world's fastest time
this year.
But the twist in the tale was that Tadese, after earning six consecutive
silvers for Eritrea in the team event, finally got his hands on a team gold
thanks to the additional efforts of Samuel Tsegaye, who won the battle with
Ethiopia's Guye Adola to take silver in a personal best of 59.20, and Nguse
Amlosom, fifth in 59.59.
Tadese looked somewhat crestfallen after his race, but Tsegaye confirmed
later that he had perked up once he knew that a historic team gold had been
secured.
"I think he is a real team player, and he is really happy that we have won
the gold at last," Tsegaye said.
Kenya, team gold medallists on the last six occasions, had to settle for
silver this time around, with bronze going to Ethiopia.
In the women's event, however, Kenyan domination was total as their runners
restored their dominance following Ethiopia's individual and team triumphs
at the last running of this event in 2012, with their team of five
occupying the first five places.
Kenya's Gladys Cherono (left), Mary Ngugi (centre) and Sally Kaptich head
for gold, silver and bronze respectively in Copenhagen (c)Getty Images
That was hardly a surprise given their talent - but the individual winner
Gladys Cherono was, by her own admission, surprised to have beaten
team-mates including Lucy Wangui Kabuu, who posted the world's fastest half
marathon time last year.
"I wasn't expecting to win," said Cherono. "But when I got to 18km I felt I
was still strong so I decided to push on."
The 21-year-old Kamworor, meanwhile, is now focusing on breaking the world
half marathon record of 58.23 set in 2010 by Tadese - who had won five
golds and a silver in the previous six runnings of this event.
"For me now the main goal is to run a world record for the half marathon,"
said Kamworor, who won in 59.07, the world's fastest time this year and 13
seconds slower than his personal best, set at the Ras Al Khaimah event last
February, and which was the fastest time recorded in 2013.
"I cannot predict right now where it will be, but I know I can run a faster
race," he added.
For the Danes, an event in which they combined the elite race with a mass
start of 30,000 runners - the biggest race ever run in Denmark, and the
first World Championship in running to be held there - the event was a
triumph.
In glorious sunshine - Copenhagen was under snow this time last year - and
light winds, there was no world record but a plethora of personal bests on
the flat and fast course through the city centre.
The women's and men's races were set underway Danish Prime Minister Helle
thorning-Schmidt, relaxed and glamorous in a bright red coat, and Prince
Frederik of Denmark, an International Olympic Committtee member.
Contact the writer of this story at mike.rowbottom_at_insidethegames.biz
Received on Sat Mar 29 2014 - 19:19:19 EDT