Kenya's Kamworor smashes world half marathon record in Copenhagen

Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the New York City Marathon in Central Park in New York, US, in 2017. He is the new Half Marathon World Record holder after winning Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday.. [Reuters]

With one of the finest performances of all-time, Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor has set the new Half Marathon World record in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Kamwowor set the record time when he won the the fifth edition of the Copenhagen Half Marathon in 57 minutes and 59 seconds on Sunday, smashing the previous time of 58.18 set by compatriot Abraham Kiptum in Valencia last year.

It was a nostalgic moment for the 26-year-old Kenyan who was returning to the Danish capital where he won his first three world half-marathon titles.

“It is very emotional for me to set this record and being in Copenhagen, where I won my first world title, adds something to it,” he said.

Kamworor overlooked the opportunity to compete at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 to target the record.

He started with fellow competitors at the onset, but increased the speed reaching the 10 kilometres in 27:32, six seconds inside his target time.

Shortly after, he was all alone as he covered the final 11 kilometres without any competetitior

Even the heavy downpour did not dampen his zeal with 37 minutes on the clock.

He covered the next five-kilometre segment in a swift 13:31, reaching 15 kilometres in 41:03, 11 seconds inside sub-58-minute pace.

Despite dropping his speed for the final quarter, he still had the gas to break the record.

The clock ticked over to 58 minutes just before Kamworor reached the finish line and moments later his winning mark was confirmed at 58:01.

Another Kenyan Bernard Kipkorir finished second in 59:16 while Ethiopia’s Berehanu Wendemu Tsegu completed the podium finish in third in 59:22.