Kenyans sweep honours at the 38th Gothenburg half marathon in Sweden

Brave Chemutai wins 21km

GOTHENBURG HALF MARATHON Fancy Chemutai breaks course record at the 38th Gothenburg half marathon in Sweden on May 20, 2017. [Cate Mukei]

Little known Fancy Chemutai yesterday braved poor terrains to break the course record at the 38th Gothenburg half marathon in Sweden.

She was just fresh from posting an impressive 1:06.58 at the Sportisimo Prague half marathon last month where Joyciline Jepkosgei set the 21km world record of 1:04.52 on April 1.

And the result inspired her into obliterating the field to win in 67.58, three seconds faster than the previous course record.

Speaking to The Standard Sports after the race, an elated Chemutai said she did not expect the victory as she was unfamiliar with the course in the Swedish second largest city.

"This is my first race in Gothenburg and I’m impressed by the performance. This just more than I what I expected,” said 22-year-old Chemutai. Chemutai received Sh1.8m (16000 euros) top prize as Viola Jepchumba and Agai Margaret, both Kenyans, trailed in second and third.

In the men’s front, Geoffrey Yegon wore the men’s crown in 60:19 ahead of Amos Kipruto and Leonard Langat.

Despite having competed in the course previously, Yegon said it was a tough terrain. “It was too windy and hot. I really hate this terrain and I think I could have done better,” said Yegon, who managed under Dutch man Gerard Van de Veen of Volare Sports.

Richard Mengich dropped out at 10km after picking injury. GoterborgsVarvet, the Swedish name for the half marathon, is among the biggest in the world and Kenya’s have been dominant in the race, winning in the last five years. [Cate Mukei]