Valencia Half-Marathon — Ngetich 16 Seconds Shy Of WR

With pacing help, Agnes Ngetich pointed at a WR yet lost momentum on a windswept seaside section of the course. (SEAN HARTNETT)

VALENCIA SPAIN, October 26 — For a second year in a row, Agnes Ngetich put a pre-Halloween scare in Letesenbet Gideyâ€s womenâ€s half-marathon World Record. The 24-year-old Kenyan defended her title in Valencia with a runaway 63:08 clocking good for No. 3 on the all-time list.

Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha also defended his Valencia title, starting fast before being derailed by stomach issues to finish in 58:02, the 14th-fastest time in history even on a rough day.

Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay (65:11) and Kenyan Veronica Loleo (65:46) filled out the womenâ€s podium. Burundiâ€s Rodrigue Kwizéra ran a national record 58:39 to finish 2nd in the menâ€s race. Kenyan Brian Kibor (58:39) and Swedenâ€s Andreas Almgren followed close behind, the latter scoring a 58:41 European Record.

NAZ Eliteâ€s Adriaan Wildschutt finished 5th in a South African Record 59:13, and Hansons†Shuaib Aljabaly was the top American finishing 15th in 61:27.

Valencia proved to be a desired off-ramp for athletes competing in the Tokyo 10,000s as Ngetich, Kejelcha, Almgren and Wildschutt all converted track speed into high quality 21K efforts.

The Spanish city was the obvious choice for Ngetich. “It is like home for me. I have a World Record in 10K (28:46 in January) and last year I came for the debut in the half-marathon (63:04).â€

Ngetich admitted, “I was disappointed with the 4th-placing in Tokyo. We were aiming for a medal in the 10,000, but then I say let me try Valencia and I can possibly finish with a personal best or a nice time. I had just three weeks, I came back and did some long runs and tempo runs and I was ready— and ready for a World Record.â€

Taking a second shot at Gideyâ€s 62:52 standard also run on the super-quick Valencia course, Ngetich got right after it, noting afterwards, “I am a runner who goes from gun to tape. I just go and go so I was happy that we started fast, 2:50 for the first K and 2:55 pace at 5K.â€

The Kenyanâ€s ballistic start put a quick end to any challenge from Tesfay who also finished 2nd last year in 63:21 and won this yearâ€s Berlin Half in 63:35.

Ngetich kept up the high pace, crossing 10K in 29:28 (62:10 pace), before heading out from the protected streets of the historic city center and into an onshore sea breeze.

“The record was there,†Ngetich said, “but from 14K the wind was there, a very strong wind.†Bad weather luck again, as a year ago Ngetich had to deal with a heavy mid-race rain and sped 63:04 — No. 2 all-time despite jumping across puddles over the final 5K.

The wind took a toll as the pace slowed through 15:08 and 15:10 5K segments, and the record slipped away in the final 3K as Ngetich finished 16 seconds above Gideyâ€s record, and 4 seconds off last yearâ€s win.

“We fight to come back, but we didnâ€t manage, but Iâ€m so happy with the results to end the season with the world lead. I can say that my performance today was OK. A fast time was possible, and we were coming for the record, but the weather challenged us.â€

While having had great success on the track and 3rd- and 4th-place finishes in the last two World Cross races, Ngetich assessed, “My best event now is half-marathon. I always do track to assist the speed because you canâ€t do anything without speed. But in half-marathon, the debut came with 63 and this one again 63; it is so impressive.â€

Ngetich added, “It takes time for everything — even for the World Record for 10K. I tried two times, I failed the first time and the second time, but in the third time the record came. Maybe it will go like this in the half-marathon.â€

Kejelcha also started fast, hoping to improve on his recently ratified WR 57:30 from last year, and challenge Jacob Kiplimoâ€s pending 56:42 clocking.

Blitzing the opening 5K in 13:35, Kejelcha soon sped away from a trio of pacers as he crossed 10K alone in 27:13 — 57:25 pace. However the lanky Ethiopian was done in by a queasy stomach before hitting the wind.

“I feel good for the first 10K and Iâ€m trying to do my best, but after 10K I feel very bad in my stomach,†he said. “I just get sick and try to vomit. I tried my best to move fast, but my stomach got in the way and it was very hard.â€

Kejelcha concluded, “I didnâ€t think it was possible to break the World Record because the wind was challenging, and it was very hard to run fast. I like Valencia, it is my place. This is my fifth time here and my third victory and I hope to come back and improve my time.â€

VALENCIA MENâ€S RESULTS

1. Yomif Kejelcha (Eth) 58:02 (13:35, 13:38 [27:13]); 2. Rodrigue Kwizéra (Bur) 58:38 NR; 3. Brian Kibor (Ken) 58:39 PR; 4. Andreas Almgren (Swe) 58:41 NR; 5. Adriaan Wildschutt (SA) 59:13 NR; 6. Nicholas Kipkorir (Ken) 59:44; 7. Mohamed Ismail Ibrahim (Dji) 60:02; 8. Gideon Rop (Ken) 60:03; 9. Carlos Mayo (Spa) 60:46; 10. Filmon Tesfu (Neth) 60:46 PR;

… 15. Shuaib Aljabaly (US) 61:27;… 17. Ahmed Muhumed (US) 61:28;… 40. Aidan Reed (US) 63:03.

VALENCIA WOMENâ€S RESULTS

1. Agnes Ngetich (Ken) 63:08 (x, 3 W) (WL) (29:28, 30:18 [59:46], 3:22); 2. Fotyen Tesfay (Eth) 65:10; 3. Veronica Loleo (Ken) 65:46 PR; 4. Gladys Chepkurui (Ken) 66:58; 5. Mulat Tekle (Eth) 67:08 PR; 6. Emma Grace Hurley (US) 68:02; 7. Klara Lukan (Slo) 68:04 NR; 8. Alessia Zarbo (Fra) 68:20 NR; 9. Caroline Nyaga (Ken) 68:40; 10. Carla Gallardo (Spa) 69:14 PR;… 13. Katie Izzo (US) 69:37 PR.

When “Professor Marathon†isnâ€t crafting topographical maps and pace charts for 26-milers around the world, the now Emeritus geographer at Wisconsin–Eau Claire, serves as the Chair of the Lower Chippewa River conservation organization and hits the airwaves Thursday afternoons as a DJ on a community radio program called “All Things 6 String.†(Hint: Sean’s the one in the photo who never set a World Record ?)

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