Mary Keitany set to make headlines at the Lisbon Half-Marathon – IAAF Gold Label Road Race
The Lisbon Half Marathon race is one of the two most famous running events organised in Portugal, as the other one is the Vodafone RTP Portugal Half Marathon, which will be held by the end of the year. Lisbon Half Marathon, which is regarded as a spring
running event in the country, is going to kick-off this Sunday, September 25, on the famous Vasco da Gama Bridge.
The race, to commence on one of the largest bridges in Europe, and which is marked as an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, has put together a strong field comprised of world championships medal winners and past dominators of the track.
In the women’s side, the field will cherish having 29-year-old Kenyan, Mary Keitany, who is the current world record holder over the distance for clocking an impressive one hour, five minutes and 50 seconds. The formidable runner overcame the previous world
record, claimed by Ras Al Khaimah back in February. The girl, who has marked five of the fastest half marathon performances in the history of the discipline, and that too in 1 hour, 7 minutes and 00 seconds at most or below, is deservingly a favourite for
the meet.
Keitany, the long distance specialist has also been into full marathon races and has bagged the London Marathon title for clocking a two hours, 19 minutes and 19 seconds’ finish. Interestingly, the champion of the 2009 World Half Marathon’s last performance
was also observed in Lisbon, when she claimed a 5km title back in May.
While running at this year’s Lisbon Half Marathon, the emphatic runner will expect to have a fierce challenge from Caroline Kilel, her countrywoman, who also happens to be the 2005 IAAF World Half Marathon Champion with a personal best of one hour, eight
minutes and 16 seconds. The winner of the 2009 World Half Marathon gold medal in Birmingham is also the winner of this year’s Boston Marathon where she breasted the tape in two hours, 22 minutes and 36 seconds.
Other performers which are expected to be seen on the track are Salina Kosgei, the winner of 2009 Boston Marathon from Kenya, Rita Jeptoo, Helena Kirop, Ana Dulce Felix and Sara Moreira.
Tags: