- Joyciline Jepkosgei has clinched the 2025 Barcelona Half Marathon title in 1:04.11.
- She was followed by Gladys Chepkurui and Ethiopia’s Alemtsehay Bimr Zerihun.
- Kenya’s Lilian Odira won an 800m title in a World Indoor Tour that was staged in France on Saturday night.
Joyciline Jepkosgei reached an incredible milestone in the 2025 Barcelona Half Marathon on Sunday morning.
Jepkosgei ran a calculated race to win the prestigious title in a lifetime best of 1:04.11, lowering her previous mark by 18 seconds.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) dominated the race from the start to finish and even finished ahead of some of the male competitors.
Jepkosgei was followed by her fellow countrywoman Gladys Chepkirui and Ethiopia’s Alemtsehay Bimr Zerihun.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over Ksh 403 million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
Chepkirui, who finished third in the 2024 edition of the race, clocked a time of 1:06.25 while Zerihun managed a time of 1:08.19.
Speaking after the race, an excited Jepkosgei thanked the supporters for cheering her all through the race.
“I am so excited to be the winner today with my personal best, the course record, I am so happy. I would like to thank the people of Barcelona for the support. I love all of you,” she ended.
The win comes less than two weeks after Jepkosgei finished fourth in the 2025 Athletics Kenya (AK) National Cross Country Championships that was held in Eldoret.
The 32-year-old is expected to rest for a few days before continuing with her preparations for the upcoming London Marathon.
Jepkosgei, who clinched the London Marathon title in the 2021 edition, will battle for this year’s crown with the likes of the reigning Olympic Games champion Sifan Hassan.
The current world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir and the Ethiopian quartet of Tigst Assefa, Megertu Alemu, and Haven Hailu Desse will also be in the mix.
ALSO READ: World champion Abel Kirui predicts tough London Marathon as Sifan Hassan moves to Iten
The much awaited showdown that has more than seven runners with sub 2:20.00 personal bests is scheduled to go down on Sunday, April 27.
Victory for Lilian Odira in France
Elsewhere, Kenya’s Lilian Odira has bagged the 800m title in a World Indoor Tour that was held in Lyon on Saturday night.
Odira, who divulged during the national cross country championships that she is aiming to represent Kenya in the World Athletics Championships in a few months time clocked 2:01.04
She was followed by Switzerland’s Hoffman Lore (2:01.89) with Spain’s Ibarzabal Lorea completing the podium positions in a time of (2:02.70).
Top 3 female finishers in the 2025 Lyon Indoor Meet
- Lilian Odira: 2:01.04 (Kenya)
- Lore Hoffman: 2:01.89 (Switzerland)
- Lorea Ibarzabal: 2:02.70 (Spain)
Top 3 female finishers in the 2025 Barcelona Half Marathon
- Joyciline Jepkosgei: 1:04.11 (Kenya)
- Gladys Chepkuri: 1:06.25
- Alemtsehay Bimr Zerihun: 1:08.19
ALSO READ: Jacob Kiplimo breaks half marathon world record in Barcelona