Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir has broken her own world record for a women-only half marathon.

The 27-year-old ran one hour five minutes 16 seconds at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland.

 

Germany's Melat Yisak Kejeta was second in 1:05:18 with Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw in third with 1:05:19.

 

In the men's race, Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo claimed victory in a championship record time of 58:49.

 

In the women's race, the top three all ran under Jepchirchir's previous would record of 1:05:34.

 

The leading group went through 10km in 30:47, while the chances of Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh and Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei suffered when they fell on the third lap as they went on to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

 

Uganda’s 19-year-old Jacob Kiplimo won the men’s race with a championship record time of 58 minutes and 49 seconds to upset Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie who took silver. Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn finished third.

 

Kandie was the fastest man over the distance this year having run 58:38 in Prague last month.

 

Kiplimo’s compatriot Joshua Cheptegei, who holds both the 5,000m and 10,000m world records, finished in a time of 59:21 on his half marathon debut to earn fourth place.

 

The event was originally scheduled for March but was postponed to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.