the kenyan Purity Temutay Komenwinner of the last edition with a test record (1h.07:18), and his compatriot Edmond Kipnetichwith a best score of 59:25 in the men’s category, start as favorites in the 37th edition of the Granollers international half marathon (Barcelona), which will be held this Sunday.
The organization has managed to assemble a cast of top-level Ethiopian and Kenyan runners. Along with Kipngetich, the Kenyan Wisley Kibichii stands out, with a record of 59:57 (Madrid 2021), and the Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwetsilver at 5000 meters at the 2013 World Cup in Moscow and bronze at this distance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, with a best mark of 1h01:46 in the half marathon.
Kenyans Edwin Kipruto (1h00:59) and Neheiah Kipyegon (1h00:37) will also start.as well as Ethiopians Getachew Maresha years old, winner of the 2022 Lyon half marathon with a best time of 1h00:08 and Berhanu Tarto (1h03:02/2022).
The European representation is led by the Ukrainian Mykola Nyzhnyk, 27, with the best score of 1h.03:14; Nan Oliveras from Girona (1h04:56), winner of Behobia-San Sebastián 2022 and two-time Catalan half-marathon champion; Carles Montlor from Sabadell (1h07:29); the Moroccan Hispanic Mourad Mounim (1h.05:24) or the runner from Berga Xavier Tomasa with 1h.06:24.
The goal is to break the trial record, with a record of 59:26, achieved by Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru, valid since February 3, 2008.
In the female category, Purity Temutay, with a personal best of 1h.07:10 (2022)and last year crushed the record held since 2006 by the Ethiopian Gete Wami with 1h.10:24, will have three high-level Ethiopian rivals.
This is: Betelihem Afenigus (1h07:47/2022), Addisie Andualem (1h08:48/2022) and the young gold medalist of the 1500 at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Tigist Gezahegne, 22 years old and with 32:06 in 10 km.
Ukrainian Olympian Olga Nyzhnyk, 32, bronze in 10,000 meters at the European Championship and with a record of 1h.11:41 in the half marathon, will be the European rival of the Africans, along with Mireia Guarner from Tarragona (1h. 15: 21) and the Barcelonans Eva Martos and Silvia Segura (1h.10:25).
The 21,097 meter route crosses the towns of La Garriga and Les Franqueses and, after starting in Granollers, has a small increase. After that, from kilometer 15 and up to the finish line, the route is downhill.
Some 8,000 runners will start the race, which will have 5 km (Quart de la Mitja) and 10 km tests like the previous ones.
This year, the 5K race will support CTNNB1 Syndrome researcha severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a change in chromosome 3.
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.
