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Oct-14-2007
1:06:25 Half Marathon World Record for Kiplagat in Udine
by Bob Ramsak
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
In a largely solo performance, Lornah Kiplagat broke the world record for the half marathon, clocking 1:06:25 at the World Road Running Championships in Udine, Italy, today.
In retaining her title, Kiplagat shattered the previous record of 1:06:44 set by South African Elena Meyer in 1999.
"Everything just went perfect today," Kiplagat said. "With four kilometers left, I thought there was a possibility (for a world record)."
En route, the Kenyan-born Dutchwoman also broke her own world record for 20 kilometers, clocking 1:02:57, 24 seconds faster that the record she set at last year's World Road Running Championships in Debrecen, Hungary.
The victory netted Kiplagat US $80,000 on the day, $30,000 for the victory and a $50,000 record bonus.
Like the earlier men's race, the women's contest provided a slew of quick performances. The first seven finishers all dipped under 1:09:00. Runner-up Mary Keitany clocked 1:06:48, a Kenyan national record. Pamela Chepchumba, also from Kenya, was third in 1:08:06, while Bezunesh Bekele was fourth in 1:08:07, a national record for Ethiopia.
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