Joshua Cheptegei shines, Alemaddis Eyayu surprises in Delhi Half Marathon

Olympian Joshua Cheptegei lived up to his billing to take home men’s crown, while Alemdis Eyayu pushed pre-race favourite Cynthia Limo behind for a surprise win in women’s race in today’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Ro Race, at Indian capital.

Kenya’s Alex Matata (27) led a major part of race with his teammate Nicholas Kipkorir, who ran his maiden half marathon internationally. Kipkorir was a bronze medalist in 5 km World Championships last year.

Matata was unbeaten in all three races he took part in in Europe earlier this year, with two sub-60 minutes clocking in two of m.  That me race exciting, and everyone was looking for a fast finish timing from men’s winner.   Matata keeps le until runners turn toward finish line in Jawahar Lal Nehru Stium, where race commenced less than an hour earlier to decide 2024 title. Cheptegei, running seconds behind Kenyan, realized w-or-never situation and came from behind to snatch le from Matata to win in 59 minutes 46 seconds. Matata (59:53) and Kipkorir (59:59) complete podium with Ugandan.      

Incidentally, Vedanta Delhi half marathon was one of fastest races in World and usually saw incredible timings by participants. Ethiopian Deriba Merga was first to post a sub-60-minute winning time in 2008 when all podium finishers dipped under 1 hour. This action was repeated several times in some of subsequent editions at Delhi, wherein 2014 witnessed a record number of nine runners finishing within 60 minutes.

Former world champion Muktar Edris from Ethiopia, ar pre-race favourite, finished fifth (60:52), while Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu (60:40) got fourth place.  

Cheptegei, with multiple world titles on his cap, said that “this win in Delhi was special to me because it is my first-ever victory in a Half Marathon.  India has been important for my career, and this country w means a lot to me.  I felt good throughout race despite slow start.  My first aim was to catch up with Nicholas (Kipkorir) and n Alex (Matata) in final few kilometres of race.  I am delighted with my performance and hope to continue in same manner in future races”.  

Thank you, Vedanta Delhi Half, for a wonderful race. This has been a special race that tested my mind.  Initially, I felt some problems in my feet around 16-17 km, but I decided to push and catch up with Nicholas, and n for about two kilometers, we pushed each or.  I took it slow because I didn’t want to burn out, and I wanted to finish strong.  w I go back home with a feeling to conquer ros”, he furr revealed.

Eyayu beats favourite Limo to win women’s title:
Alemdis Eyayu extended Ethiopian winning streak in Delhi.   Kenya’s Cynthia Limo, pre-race favourite, led field right from beginning while Scotland’s Commonwealth Champion Eilish McColgan trailed behind all time.  McColgan h fastest and only sub-66 minute timing among elite women who took starting lineup today.  However, two Ethiopians, Eyayu and Tiruye Mesfin, stuck with Limo for entire part.        

Cynthia Limo, who won women’s title here in 2015, h returned to Delhi after nine years.  Following her victory in Indian capital, Kenyan runner secured a silver medal in Cardiff's 2016 World Half Marathon championships.
Eyayu and Limo passed 10K mark toger and remained sole leers in women’s race. However, Ethiopian runner pulled ahe in second phase of race, leaving Limo 10-15 seconds behind.  It was a crucial deciding factor at end as Eyayu crossed finish line 68:17 for top spot, while Limo did so 10 seconds later.  Mesfin clocked 69:42 for third and McColgan 69:55 to finish fourth and outside podium.  

“I h a good race, tried to keep my pace and aimed to finish well.  I am happy to have achieved it” Eyayu said during post-event press conference.

Limo said she was happy to join Delhi podium after nine years.  “Securing second place is incredible, one that fills me with pride.   atmosphere was electric, with people lining streets and cheering us.  It’s heartwarming to see how city comes toger.  This experience has been truly special; support from spectators, ir enthusiasm, and overall energy of event have me this return to Delhi unforgettable,” was Limo’s reaction to race.

total prize purse for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is USD 260,000. podium finishers both men and women will take home USD 27,000, USD 20,000 & USD 13,000 respectively.

Sawan Barwal betters previous performance

Sawan Barwal will go home with gold medal this time around after finishing on podium of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for a second straight edition. With a timing of 1:02:46, Barwal finished ahe of Puneet Yav, bettering his personal best in process. Kiran Matre grabbed third spot to complete podium for Indian Elite Men's event.

Barwal, who won bronze in 2023, was behind Puneet at 10-kilometer mark, but left his best for final stretch of race. Taking vant of an opening, he pushed himself in final quarter and eventually secured top spot with a difference of almost 1 minute and 9 seconds.

After race, an emotional Sawan was ecstatic about turning bronze to gold as he shed some light on his performance, saying, "It has been a great ride from last Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon to current edition. We are nearing end of season, and I was happy with preparations throughout season, and I used that to my vant this time around. I did t enter thinking about finishing in 62 minutes, but way I started and when I settled into race, I knew I could go all way."

Lili Das has dream debut

In Indian Elite Women's category, Lili Das was miles ahe of her competitors, securing gold with a timing of 1:18:12. Coming in second was last year's winner Kavita Yav, who clocked 1:19:44 as she finished in top 3 for a second straight edition of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. In third place was 2022 Asian Games bronze medallist Priti Lamba, who crossed finish line at 1:20:21 mark.

In 9th position at 10-kilometer mark, Lili upped ante to reach top spot at 15th kilometer. She maintained le with a massive effort and went on to win gold by a massive difference of 1 minute and 32 seconds ahe of Kavita.

Lili, who fought cramps on way to her gold, spoke about experience of landing on podium in her very first Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, "It is a very good feeling to win Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in my very first attempt. I felt a little bit of dehydration during race which I was worried about, but I am gl that I was able to finish race. I cramped up around 19th kilometer and it was a scary moment, but I fought it and worked very hard to finish final 2 kilometers. After doing well in track and field events, winning gold in a half marathon feels great."

people of Delhi came toger once again to showcase spirit of ir city and promote healthy lifestyles at Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Thousands of runners, from seasoned athletes to enthusiastic amateurs, took to streets, turning event into a vibrant celebration of fitness and community. race t only highlighted city's commitment to well-being but also raised awareness for various charitable causes, embodying essence of unity 
and social responsibility that Delhi is kwn for.