Kenyan athletes Edwin Kipruto and Peter Kariuki, in the men’s category, and Ukrainian Olympian Olga Nyzhnyk, in the women’s category, start as favorites in the 23rd edition of the Terrassa International Half Marathon that this Sunday (10:00 am) will be held in the streets of this city of Barcelona with expensive posters and with 2,500 runners at the start.
Edwin Kipruto Tuitoek, 24, starts with the best score of 1h.00:59 achieved on January 23 in Santa Pola (Alicante), and Peter Kariuki Wanjiru, 40, with 1h.01:15.
Both are clear candidates to beat the event record held by Carles Castillejo from Barcelona, three-time winner of the event (2016, 2017 and 2018) with a record of 1h03:30.
His direct rival is the Ukrainian Mykola Nyzhnyk27 years old, champion of his country in 10,000 meters (2017 and 2018), Olympian in Tokyo in the marathon and has the best distance mark of 1h.03:14 (2018).
Following him are the Moroccans Omar El Harrass, 35 years old and has a best time of 1h.01:55 (2022); Jaouad El Bissis, second in last year’s medal and with a personal best of 1h03:23; and Mourad El Bannouri, winner in 2019 and 2020, third last year and with a best time of 1:01:33.
In the women’s category, Ukrainian Olympian Olga Nyzhnyk stood out32 years old, bronze in 10,000 meters at the European Championship and recognized a personal best of 1h.11:41 (2019).
As main rivals, it will have the Ethiopian nation of Bahrain, Tigist Gashaw, 26 years old, world champion under-18 in 1,500 meters and has a best mark at the distance of 1.10:33 (2021); the Kenyan Nancy Chepleting, 21, with 1h.10:48 (2023); and the Lithuanian Vaida Zusinaite, double champion of her country in 10,000 meters and seven times in 5,000, and with a best mark of 1h.15:51.
The goal, this year, is to break the women’s record held by the Moroccan Soukaina Atanane with 1h.14:21which was achieved last year, in the generally approved urban circuit, starting and ending at the Parc dels Catalans.
The day will be completed with the contest of the traditional 5 kilometer Santi Centelles Race, in its 17th edition.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.
