Aided by cool and windless conditions, there was some fast running this morning in the Czech capital as both the men's and women's course records fell at the Hervis Prague Half-Marathon.
On the men's side, a quartet of Kenyans led by Nicholas Koech broke Patrick Ivuti's course record of 61 minutes-flat. Koech was timed in 1:00:07 with Nicholas Manza Kamakya just two seconds behind. Also getting under the course record were Matthew Kipchirchir (1:00:15) and Stephen Kibiwott (1:00:19). Isaac Macharia rounded out the top-5 in 1:01:32.
Four women also broke the distaff event record of 1:10:08 set by Kenyan Caroline Kwambai in 2006. First over the line was Rose Kosgei in 1:09:03, ahead of compatriots Irene Kwambai (1:09:27) and Pasalia Chepkorir Kipkoech (1:09:56). Ethiopia's Werknesh Kidane was the last to get under Kwambai's record, clocking 1:09:59.
Both Koech and Kosgei earned 5000 euros: 2000 for the win plus another 3000 for setting new course records.
A total of 4,537 runners finished the race which, for the second straight year, received the IAAF Silver Label.
PHOTO: Nicholas Koech wins the 2009 Hervis Prague Half-Marathon (photo courtesy of the Hervis Prague Half-Marathon)
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