Kenyan road race runners had an excellent outing in the 2024 Copenhagen Half Marathon held on Sunday, September 15.
Sabastian Sawe showed nerves of steel in the men’s category to overcome a deep field that had the likes of the current world record holder Jacob Kiplimo.
He ran close to the leading pack for a majority part of the race before producing a powerful kick in the last 100m to cut the tape in 58:05.
The reigning world half marathon road running championships winner was followed by Kiplimo, and his fellow Kenyan Isaia Lasoi, who clocked 58:09 and 58:10 respectively.
Speaking during the post-race interview, Sawe revealed that running against the likes of Kiplimo was not easy.
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“It was bit hard from the first kilometer because it was so hard. Running with a professional athlete like Jacob Kiplimo needs some tactics a bit. So, I decided to go with him and in the final stages, I decided to go for it,” he stated.
The popular road race was dominated by Kenyan men, with seven of them finishing inside the top 10 positions.
Amos Kurgat, Edward Cheserek, and Kennedy Kimutai registered fourth, fifth and sixth place finishes in that order, with Nehemiah Kipyegon and Peter Aila settling for the eighth and 10th positions respectively.
Sabastian Sawe wins 2024 Copenhagen half marathon
The script was similar in the women’s category, where Margaret Chelimo Kipkemoi eloped with the coveted title.
Kipkemboi, who represented Kenya in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, led her compatriots to a clean podium sweep.
She took control of the race at the half way mark and never looked back as she went on to cross the finishing line in 1:05.11.
The second and third position went to Judy Kemboi (1:05.43) and Catherine Amanangole (1:06.09).
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2024 Copenhagen Half Marathon Podium
Men’s category
Margaret Chelimo – 1:05.11 (Kenya)
Judy Kemboi – 1:05.43 (Kenya)
Catherine Amanangole – 1:06.09 (Kenya)
Women’s category
Sabastian Sawe – 58:05 (Kenya)
Jacob Kiplimo – 58:09 (Kenya)
Isaia Lasoi – 58:10 (Kenya)
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