Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon

September 17: Join Mattoni Ústí Nad Labem Half Marathon

Credit : RunCzech
 First across the finish line of the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon (RunCzech race awarded IAAF Gold Label) was a young RunCzech Racing team member Stephen Kiprop from Kenya, in a time of 00:59:41. Meanwhile his compatriot runner Diana Chemtai Kipyokei proved herself the best among the women securing a confident victory with the same time as the event record set by Peres Jepchirchir in 2015 – 1:07:17. 
 A strong wind and warm temperature of over twenty degrees did not support the expectations of a strong international elite field representing ten countries from four continents (Asia, North America, Africa, and Europe). Nevertheless the event proved to bring some surprising results and personal bests. 
 The race was headed for quite a while by a large group featuring the race favourites. Taking control of the men’s field at the twelfth kilometre, 19-year old Kenyan Stephen Kiprop, the youngest among the male elite field, managed to run away from the leading group to win while improving his personal best by three seconds (00:59:41). The RunCzech Racing team member has launched his European running career earlier this year and reigned supreme at a total of three races, including the Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon (another RunCzech IAAF Gold Label road race). Stephen was followed by Barselius Kipyego (1:00:25) from Kenya. Running in third place, was another RunCzech Racing team representative Abel Kipchumba (1:00:39) /KEN/. 
 The women’s race heralded a triumph also for Kenya. The fastest woman on the course Diana Chemtai Kipyokei improved her personal best by eighteen seconds but missed improving the event record by only one second, clocking 1:07:17. Diana ran her personal best last Saturday at the Birell Prague Grand Prix 10K (RunCzech IAAF Gold Label road race) finishing third. Running in second place, was Nancy Jepkosgei Kiprop (1:07:32), followed in third by Lucy Cheruiyot (1:09:52), both from Kenya. 
 When it comes to European representatives the first among men was Jiří Homoláč from the Czech Republic (1:05:12), and among women – Lilia Fisikovici from Moldova (1:10:45) setting a new national record. This year she triumphed at the Mattoni Ceske Budejovice Half Marathon finishing first overall in the EuroHeroes event – a new RunCzech initiative aiming to support the European athletes. 
 Japanese Yuka Takashima finished eighth (1:11:43), followed by American Sara Hall (1:12:36). 
 “RunCzech today has delivered another quality event. Of course we would be happy with a new event record among women, but we are especially proud of the results from the young and promising RunCzech Racing team member Stephen,” revealed Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech Organising Committee and Chairman of the IAAF Road Running Commission. 
 The eighth Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon played host to a total of 3436 runners with 2683 at dm family run. 
  
 Results 
 Men 
 1. KIPROP STEPHEN | KEN |	00:59:41  
2. KIPYEGO BARSELIUS | KEN | 01:00:25  
3. KIPCHUMBA ABEL | KEN | 01:00:39  
4. AMGHAR HICHAM | MAR | 01:01:15  
5. KURGAT AMOS KIBIWOTT | KEN | 01:01:28  
6. HATTORI YUMA | JPN | 01:01:40  
7. KWEMOI PETER | KEN | 01:01:50  
8. KIPKURUI NICODEMUS | KEN | 01:01:59  
9. KOECH GEOFFREY KIMUTAI | KEN | 01:02:20  
10. RONOH TIMOTHY KIPLAGAT |	KEN | 01:02:26 
 Women 
 1 | KIPYOKEI DIANA CHEMTAI | KEN | 01:07:17  
2 | KIPROP NANCY JEPKOSGEI | KEN | 01:07:32  
3 | CHERUIYOT LUCY | KEN | 01:09:52  
4 | DIDA DERA | ETH | 01:09:53  
5 | NENKAMPI PERINE | KEN | 01:10:11  
6 | FISIKOVICI LILIA | MDA | 01:10:45  
7 | KARIMI LUCY | KEN | 01:11:15  
8 | TAKASHIMA YUKA | JPN | 01:11:43  
9 | HALL SARA | USA | 01:12:36  
10 | TSUZAKI KIKUYO | JPN | 01:15:25 


Another young RunCzech Racing star emerges at Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon

Kiprop and Kipyokei take Usti nad Labem Half Marathon victories

Course records in danger at Usti nad Labem Half Marathon

Credit : Runczech
 Ústí nad Labem – a city of records. The Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon (awarded the IAAF Gold Label) can now proudly make such a claim. So far no RunCzech Running League race has seen all four best times in different categories smashed in one go. That time came today in Ústí with records broken in the categories of fastest man, woman, Czech man and Czech woman. And if this weren’t enough to celebrate, finishing in 59:14 defender of last year’s victory Kenyan runner, Barselius Kipyego ran the second fastest half marathon on this year’s world rankings, while enhancing his own event record by one second. Meanwhile the Bahrain representative Violah Jepchumba managed to advance the race record by over one minute (finishing 1:06:06). Jiří Homoláč (1:04:33) emerged as the fastest Czech man while RunCzech Racing Team member Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová (1:11:22) also enhanced the Ústí record by almost fifty seconds, despite not achieving her planned goal of recording a new Czech half marathon best. 
 A strong start line as well as ideal running conditions all pointed to a fast race earlier today in Ústí nad Labem. At twelve degrees and no wind, things certainly looked promising. “The weather seemed to be all over the place the week prior to the race, but in the end we, and above all the runners, were in luck. We couldn’t have asked for a better end to this year’s season if we tried,” a joyous Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech Running League revealed adding: “the results of all elite runners are simply phenomenal, we’ve never experienced anything quite like it. A time under one hour and four race records overall – I think such results speak for themselves.” 
 The battle between the fastest men offered a gripping spectacle. In the final quarter of the race, last year’s winner Barselius Kipyego showed his thirst for victory by breaking away from rivals and dashing ahead to a powerful finish while shaving a second off his own event record and personal best. “ I really enjoyed the race. I ran really well, the weather was great and the race went exactly according to plan. As I headed towards the finish, I spotted the timekeeper and had a fair idea about how fast I needed to run. I’m pleased it turned out as it was meant to,” said the elated winner, describing the experience at the finish line. He was followed by RunCzech Racing Team member Josphat Kimutai Tanui whose time of 59:22 not only meant second place overall but also a new personal best. Running in third place, also breaking a new personal best was Ismail Juma (59:30). So all three podium men finished the race within 60 minutes. 
 Yuta Shitara also delivered a commendable performance, running a new Japanese record with a time of 1:00:17. 
Credit : Runczech
 The fastest woman on the course Violah Jepchumba was also satisfied with her result. Representing Bahrain, the runner has had a truly excellent year, regularly making it onto the podium, but never reigning supreme until today. “I’m really pleased that it finally happened today and I managed to win. When you win and also manage to break a new race record, it’s impossible not to be happy,” declared the smiley winner whose time of 1:06:06 also meant a new personal best by one minute and eleven seconds. Running in second place, also scoring a new personal best was Nancy Jepkosgei Kiprop (1:07:22), followed in third place by Lucy Cheruiyot (1:07:23) also running a personal best. 
 The Czechs also delivered some commendable results on the Ústí nad Labem course. With a time of 1:04:33, Jiří Homoláč defended his victory title from last year, also enhancing his personal race record by one minute and eight seconds. “I have to say I’m utterly delighted, this is my third fastest half marathon ever. Everything is going well with my preparations and I hope that I’ll be able to deliver a half decent performance at the marathon I’m running in six weeks time,” the hopeful Czech winner revealed who had enough energy spare at the finish for a few press-ups. “A photographer at yesterday’s press conference was winding me up that my press-ups were great last year, so I promised him I’d do the same again this year providing I won,” boasted Homoláč. Finishing second with a season’s personal best of 1:06:04 was Vít Pavlišta, followed by Petr Pechek (1:07:14) in third place. 
 Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová set out with rather ambitious goals, announcing before the race that she planned to beat Alena Peterková’s Czech half marathon best. In the end she was twenty seconds off doing that but still her time of 1:11:22 still secured the runner her own Czech best on the Ústí course by almost fifty seconds. “The first ten kilometres went great and without any issue at all, I was convinced about breaking the record. But then my pacemaker dropped out at the ten-kilometre mark. While I managed to catch up with a Kenyan runner, she wasn’t so keen on cooperating and by the finish I just didn’t have the strength. My result today is really motivating for me, it was a wake-up call, “Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová revealed. She was joined on the podium by Radka Hanzlová (1:17:16) and Tereza Ďurdiaková (1:17:51), both recording new personal bests. 
 The seventh Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon played host to a total of 3 700 long-distance runners from 39 countries around the world. 
 You can watch the highlights of the race HERE. 
 Results 
 Top 5 Men 
 Top 5 Women 
 Complete results 
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Four records at the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon with the main time under one hour

Credit : RunCzech
 Elite athletes taking part in the seventh ever Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon (the final event in the RunCzech Running League 2017, awarded the IAAF Gold Label) have ambitious plans. The fastest runners, including last year’s winner Barselius Kipyego, will all have their sights set on smashing the one hour barrier, while one of the best women half marathon runners of all time – Violah Jepchumba – will also be keen to make a new race record. Meanwhile in the Czech camp, runner Jiří Homoláč is preparing to enhance his personal best time on Ústí turf as Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová announces her intention to run the fastest Czech women’s half marathon on record! 
 A number of elite runners will be heading to Ústí nad Labem just one week following the Birell Prague Grand Prix. “The 10K through night-time Prague was a phenomenal success. When your race plays host to a world record (to be ratified) seeing women complete the course in under thirty minutes for the first time ever, there’s no other word for it,” RunCzech Organising Committee President, Carlo Capalbo reveals, speaking of Joyciline Jepkosgei’s incredible performance. “I can’t promise any more new world records at the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon, but you can bet attempts will be made to break through the one hour barrier and make a new Czech record. And I think those things are well worth witnessing too,” Capalbo adds. 
 Thousands of runners will take part in the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon, the very best of whom will all have their hearts set on smashing the hour barrier. Any time under this is considered a truly world-class performance and Ústí witnessed just that at that last year’s race thanks to Kenyan runner Barselius Kipyego who will also be appearing this year. “A runner’s chances of getting under hour barrier are dependent on a whole host of factors ranging from the weather, their current shape as well as bog-standard luck, but I’m confident that the runners have it in them. Three other runners apart from Kipyego have run sub-60 min., so it could pay off,” says Jana Moberly, the elite field coordinator. 
 Of those competing in Ústí, the following runners all boast times of under one hour: Barselius Kipyego (59:15, also the record holder of the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon), RunCzech Racing Team member Kenneth Keter (59:48), Moroccan runner Lahbabi Aziz (59:25) and the Kenyan Solomon Kirwa Yego. In fact his time of 58:44 emerged as the very best performance of last year, though doesn’t appear on the official IAAF rankings since the Ostia course doesn’t adhere to the strict IAAF criteria required for acknowledging race records. 
 The women’s start line also boasts an excellent star-studded cast. Violah Jepchumba, the Kenyan native representing Bahrain is the fifth fastest half marathon runner of all time and a clear candidate for an Ústí victory. “Violah proved her calibre at this year’s Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon, where she ran a time of 1:05:22 – fifth fastest time ever. She was also keen to make history at the Birell Prague Grand Prix held on Saturday, however in the end finished third despite putting in an excellent performance. She’ll certainly want to seize the opportunity in Ústí to make up for this slight disappointment,” Jana Moberly reveals. Others keen to ensure a sport on the podium include Lucy Cheruiyot, who finished second place last year in Ústí with a time of 1:08:17 and Yvonne Jelagat, whose current personal best stands at 1:08:19. 
 The current half marathon best time on record among the Czech women continues to be held by Alena Peterková. Dating back to 24th September 1994 at the world half marathon championships in Oslo, Norway it is certainly in need of updating. Back then her time of 1:11:02 was enough to secure her 13th place overall and remains at the top of the Czech rankings. It took over 20 years for any woman runner to come close to matching that. With a performance of 1:11:06, Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová, a RunCzech Racing team member who finished 14th at the IAAF World Championships marathon 2017, was just four seconds shy of the longstanding record at last year’s Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon. And she’ll definitely be keen to shave those seconds off her time on this occasion! 
 “For the first time I’m openly saying that I want to try for the national record at the Ústí race. My legs are a tad weary after last Saturday’s Grand Prix, but nothing can stop me. I believe I can run that time and I’m going to give it my all. The Ústí course is a little bit more challenging but I’ll be spurred on by the local atmosphere and am really looking forward to it,” Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová revealed. 
 The seventh ever Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon will get under way at 15.00 on 16th September from Mírové náměstí. In addition to 3 700 participants taking part in the main race, a further 3 000 will join the non-competitive three-kilometre dm Family Run. The Spolchemie Czech Handbike Cup for physically disabled athletes will kick off from the same spot at noon. 
 The Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon will be broadcast live on ČT Sport and online at www.runczech.com starting from 2.50 p.m. CET. 
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Ambitious plans set for the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon

Credit : RunCzech
 When an incessant, day-long rain – which threatened to spoil the 6th annual Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon – magically subsided just prior to the race start, several dozen of the world‘s top professional road racers – along with another 3600 intrepid runners – suddenly knew the emerging weather – damp, windless conditions and a cooling temperature of 16 degrees Celsius [62 degrees Fahrenheit] could permit some special performances in the finale of the 2016 RunCzech Running League. Several such performances – including a clocking under the mythical one hour barrier – did occur. 
 With the crack of the starter’s pistol, the field of elite men – which featured four athletes with half marathon PB’s under an hour – got right after it. RunCzech Racing athlete Abraham Kipyatich – last weekend’s surprise winner of the Birell Prague Grand Prix 10K in a world-leading 27:40 – wasted no time. In the pacer’s role for this contest, the Kenyan runner went right to the front to lay down an ambitious race cadence targeted for a sub-60:00 finish. An early lead pack of nearly a dozen racers was soon whittled down to 4 athletes: Peter Kwemoi, favorite Barselius Kipyego, RunCzech Racing athlete Geoffrey Kipyego, and Adugna Takele – all following Kipyatich’s pace-setting which had the covey on sub-60 minute race record pace. At 9K, Barselius – antsy to go – threw down a move that only Kipyatich could cover as the duo broke away. Past 12K – in the solitude of the Spolchemie manufacturing facility – Barselius put the race away with a strong surge that the Grand Prix 10K champion could not answer. With his advantage growing with every stride, the Kenyan leader breezed by 15K in 42:01 and sailed on to score an unthreatened win. For the 23 year old victor, his winning time of 59:15 was a personal best, elevated the new champion from #6 to #4 on the world leader board, and destroyed Philemon Limo’s 2013 race record by a whopping 83 seconds. Kipyego’s winning clocking renders the Usti nad Labem course as the fastest RunCzech regional course and the second fastest half marathon track in the RunCzech Running League, trailing only the half marathon course in Prague. In the race for the other podium positions, a heady charge over the final kilometers allowed Takele [61:31] to pass a slowing Kipyatich for 2nd while the pace-setter [61:40] was able to hold on for 3rd. Peter Kwemoi finished 4th in 61:45. 
 With reigning IAAF world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir sporting seasonal half marathon marks over 3 minutes faster than any other woman in the field, the women’s race was expected to be a wire-to-wire solo performance by the 22 year old Kenyan. The world champion didn’t break away from the gun – but she probably could have. Initially running conservatively behind the pacesetter, Jepchirchir passed 5K in 15:53 while being closely shadowed by countrywoman Lucy Cheruiyot and Ethiopia’s Afera Godfay. At 9 kilometers, Jepchirchir made the decisive move. And just like that the race was over – most surely the world champion would go on to win. But some excitement remained. Just before the 18K marker, the Kenyan leader’s shoe was wriggling loose. Concerned the shoe might fall off on its own, Jepchirchir stopped, yanked off the shoe, and spent precious seconds adjusting her laces before resuming her race against the clock. The defending champion was clinging on to race record pace, but would this brief interlude prevent her from eclipsing the record she set last year? It would. Although charging hard down toward the finish, the Kenyan athlete crossed the line in 67:24 – missing her course record by 7 seconds. Cheruiyot would finish 2nd in 68:17, Godfay 3rd in 68:32 – massive personal best for both athletes. 
 Turning in performances inspired by national pride, Jiri Homolac [65:41 – a new Czech race record by 6 seconds] and Ivana Sekyrova [77:40] were the first nationals to cross the downtown finish line in Mírové Square. 
 In the post-race press conference, the jubilant winners shared their thoughts. Questions to the women’s champion centered on her unfortunate shoe incident and her near-miss at a new race record. “I had to fix my shoe before it fell off,” explained the two-time champion who is building toward her October 30th marathon debut in the Frankfurt. The men’s champion was asked to explain why – in final kilometers when his lead was nearing two minutes – would he repeatedly glance back. “I was tired,” he retorted with a laugh. 
 Carlo Capalbo – founder and CEO of the RunCzech Running League – was pleased with today’s race – annually the largest sporting event held in Usti nad Labem. “Today was an exciting conclusion to yet another successful RunCzech racing series,” exclaimed Capalbo, who also serves as the newly-appointed chairman of the IAAF Road Running Commission. “We are already looking forward to great competition and yet another outstanding season when the 2017 edition of the RunCzech Running League resumes next April.” The RunCzech Running League – which attracted 82,000 runners for its 7-race series and saw 10 race records broken over this season – presents the only road race series in the world in which not only the series itself, but also every race within the series, has earned the IAAF Gold Label distinction – the federation’s highest ranking. 
 With another successful season of the RunCzech Running League now in the books, reflections of the superior performances that highlighted this year’s 7-race series are combined with anticipation of classic confrontations that could emerge in next year’s RunCzech competitions. To be sure, Violah Jepchumba’s stunning performance in the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon and her near world-record 10K road victory last week in the Birell Prague Grand Prix 10K will not soon be forgotten. The same can be said for the impressive win rung up today by Peres Jepchirchir in the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon. Ah, but next year. In the coming months, many will dream of a classic matchup of Jepchirchir versus Jepchumba – the reigning world champion versus this year’s half marathon world leader in a 2017 showdown. That’s the heavyweight title fight that everyone wants to see. 
 Dave Hunter 

Rain Stops; Kipyego And Jepchirchir Reign Kenyan Athletes Capture The Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon Victories

Kipyego and Jepchirchir Reign at Usti nad Labem Half Marathon

Jepchirchir returns to defend Usti nad Labem half marathon title

Credit : Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon
 The surge to the top of Peres Jepchirchir showed no sign of faltering as the 21-year-old Kenyan surprised herself with the emphatic nature of her victory. A week after running the fastest 10k by a woman this year of 30:55 to win the Birell Prague Grand Prix, she triumphed once again with 67:17 in the fifth edition of the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon. The feat improved the event record of 69:38, set by compatriot Josephine Chepkoech in 2013, by over two minutes. Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete was a distant second but with a solid 70:14 debut at the distance after maternity leave and Linah Cheruto of Kenya finished third in 71:48. 
 Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete sprang a surprise in the men’s race. After victory in the Hamburg Half Marathon in late June, he beat better known rivals with an astute display of racing in 60:58, six seconds outside his personal best. Kesete finished one second ahead of Kenya’s Barselius Kipyego with Elijah Tirop 14 second behind the winner. The Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label event, the highest category of road race. 
 Peres Jepchirchir confessed afterwards that she had been hoping to run 68 minutes which would still have been a solid improvement on her lifetime best of 69:12. Once the mayor of Usti nad Labem, Vera Nebychova, had fired the starting gun, Jepchirchir displayed the same direct approach that had served her so well in the Birell Prague Grand Prix the week before: run hard and let the opposition worry. Linah Cheruto was briefly in attendance as Jepchirchir went through 5k in 15:32, Cheruto one second adrift. 
 Soon the television monitors and spectators were witnessing a different scenario. Whenever the cameras went to the head of the women’s race, just one figure was in view: Peres Jepchirchir, remorseless as ever. 
 10k was passed in 31:48, giving the Iten-based runner a 42 second margin inside event record pace. By 15k the clock showed 47:32 and she was still flying, over a minute inside the required target. Onlookers began to consult the world leading times this year and names such as Florence Kiplagat and Mary Keitany showed the company Peres Jepchirchir is challenging these days. She triumphed in 67:17, the seventh fastest half marathon by a woman this year, and soon gave credit to her training partner and schoolgirl role model, Mary Keitany: 
 “When I was in school, I ran track and I read about Mary and her achievements. I’m still surprised to think that I train with her, learn from her and am now running these times. I didn’t expect to run 67 but hoped for 68 minutes today,” reflected Peres Jepchirchir. 
 She confirmed that this was her last road race of the season, even though she has now become such a hot property at 10k and the half marathon. Her attention will switch to gaining a place on the Kenyan Olympic team for the 10,000m in Rio next year. 
 Merhawi Keset didn’t waste words when asked what victory in the men’s race meant to him: “Happy,” was the Eritrean’s succinct response. This was a win earned by astute positioning, always in the lead group which, though the bid to break the event record of 60:38 faded after 5k was passed in 14:11, provided exciting racing. 
 With just under 2.5k remaining, a trio were in contention: Keset taking his turn to the push the pace with the Kenyan Barselius Kipyego, while Kipyego’s compatriot Elijah Tirop was a stride behind. At 1k remaining Kipyego and Kesete were the contenders. Having taken third in the Birell Prague Grand Prix 10k the week before, Kipyego might have been expected to have the required finishing speed but Kesete produced a final surge for a narrow win. 
 Daniel Chebii of Kenya, one of the pre-race favourites after his Prague victory last weekend, was well placed till halfway but faded in the latter stages to finish eighth in 63:27. 
 Men’s Results 

	
		Merhawi Kesete
		Eritrea
		60:58
	
	
		Barselius Kipyego
		Kenya
		60:59
	
	
		Elijah Tirop
		Kenya
		61:12
	
	
		Festus Talam
		Kenya
		61:34
	
	
		Emmanuel Oliaulo
		Kenya
		61:58
	
	
		Kenneth Keter
		Kenya
		62:29
	

 Women’s Results 

	
		Peres Jepchirchir
		Kenya
		67:17 (Event Record) pb
	
	
		Shitaye Eshete
		Barhain
		70:14 debut
	
	
		Linah Cheruto
		Kenya
		70:48
	
	
		Caroline Kilel
		Kenya
		71:45
	
	
		Eva Vrabcova
		Czech Republic
		72:11 debut
	
	
		Etalemahu Habtewold
		Ethiopia
		72:43
	


Peres Jepchirchir’s rise continues as the young Kenyan Star smashes event record to win Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon title by over two minutes; Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete surprises his rivals for victory

Credit : RunCzech
 The Kenyan talents of Peres Jepchirchir and Daniel Chebii will complete a busy week when they line up at the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon on Saturday. Fresh from their triumphs in the Birell Prague Grand Prix the week before, where Jepchirchir ran the fastest women’s 10k of the year with 30:55 and Chebii beat a high quality men’s field in 27:42, they turn their attentions to the seventh and final race in the RunCzech series for 2015. The fifth edition of the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label event, the highest category of road race. 
 Having run so impressively in the Czech capital, much will be expected of Peres Jepchirchir with her best for the half marathon of 69:12. Her rivals include the experienced Caroline Kilel, winner of the 2011 Boston Marathon. The Kenyan has proven ability at the shorter distance, finishing fourth at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2009. Also coming into the reckoning should be another rising young Kenyan star alongside Peres Jepchirchir: Linah Cheruto finished over a minute adrift as runner-up to her compatriot in Prague last week but has solid half marathon credentials with 70:22. Leading the Ethiopian challenge will be Shitaye Eshete in only her second race after maternity – she finished a solid fourth in Prague a week ago and this will be her debut at the distance. Another contender from the same country is Amane Beriso, not at her best last week but with a 68:43 half marathon to her credit. 
 Daniel Chebii remarked after his 10k victory last weekend that he was “only 70% fit” after spending much of 2014 on the injured list. His rivals in Usti will recognise his talent only too well: Gilbert Masai finished three seconds behind Chebii’s winning time of 27:42 over 10k and their personal bests for the half marathon are comparable, although Daniel Chebii might claim home ground advantage of a kind, since his 59:49 was set in winning another of the RunCzech series events in Ceske Budejovice in 2012, while Gilbert Masai ran his fastest of 59:57 to finish fifth in Lille the same year. It’s another Masai who is the fastest overall going into the race: Titus Masai, who didn’t show his best form over 10k last week in Prague but ran 59:41 for third place in the Rome Half Marathon last year. Elijah Tirop is another to take into the reckoning, having won another of the regional RunCzech events, the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon, in late May. But Daniel Chebii is entitled to be confident and knows the course, having finished sixth here in 62:33 two years ago: 
 “If I can break my best of 59:49, I know I am primed for a marathon debut either later this year or next.” 
 The men’s course record stands at 60:38, set by Philemon Limo in 2013. 
 Reflecting on her development, Peres Chepchirchir acknowledges the value of training in the same group as Mary Keitany in Iten in Kenya. Peres credits the African record holder in the marathon and 2009 World Half Marathon champion with passing on important principles: 
 “I learned the importance from her of hard work and also when to rest. It’s boosted my confidence just to know I can train alongside her.” 
 With her half marathon best of 69:12, Peres Jepchirchir should be in the vanguard as the women’s field attack the 69 minute barrier. The current women’s event record is 69:08, set by another Kenyan, Josephine Chepkoech, in 2013. 
 Leading Runners and their personal bests: 
 Men’s Field: 

	
		Titus Masai
		Kenya
		59:41
	
	
		Daniel Chebii
		Kenya
		59:49
	
	
		Gilbert Masai
		Kenya
		59:57
	
	
		Teshome Mekonen
		Ethiopia
		60:27
	
	
		Barselius Kipyego
		Kenya
		60:51
	

 Women’s Field 

	
		Caroline Kilel
		Kenya
		68:23
	
	
		Amane Beriso
		Ethiopia
		68:43
	
	
		Shitaye Eshete
		Ethiopia
		Debut
	
	
		Peres Jepchirchir
		Kenya
		69:12
	
	
		Linah Cheruto
		Kenya
		70:22
	


Kenyan duo of Peres Jepchirchir and Daniel Chebii go in search of fresh roads to conquer at Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon

Credit : RunCzech
 Adugna Takele of Ethiopia and Correti Jepkoech of Kenya took top honors at the Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon despite strong rain and slippery streets. Their winning times of 1:00:45 and 1:09:35 respectively were only seconds over the race records (1:00:38 and 1:09:07) despite the very trying conditions.  Rain at the start made the streets difficult to negotiate the many turns on the course and several times runners in the lead pack almost fell.  Even stronger rainfall later as the men approached the fifteen kilometer split assured the existing race records would stand for at least another year. 
 A lead group of eight men from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, and Uganda ran together for the first half of the race with Festus Talam of Kenya and Geofrey Kusuro of Uganda sharing much of the effort up front.  Nicholas Bor and Richard Mengich of Kenya along with Takele, Azmeraw Bekele, and Atsedu Tsegay of Ethiopia made up the rest of the lead group.  A 14:09 split at 5 kilometers meant they were on a sub one hour pace.  By 10 kilometers the pace had slipped to 28:30, or 14:21 for the second 5 km which meant they were now running just over a one hour pace but Masamichi Ysuda was unable to maintain contact. 
 The small hills and strong rain before 15 km again took their toll, and the pace slipped further to 43:08 or 14:38 for the interval, and they were now down to five runners with the Ethiopian national record holder Atsedu Tsegay and RunCzech Racing’s Nicholas Bor losing contact with the leaders.  Soon The final 3 km became a war of attrition as first Bekele and then Kusuro, found themselves unable to match Takele’s surges. After many trips to RunCzech events in recent years Takele finally put it all together and he raced to the victory in a very impressive time considering the conditions.  Bekele finished 13 seconds back in second and Kusuro kept the Kenyans off the podium for the first time in Usti with his finish some 6 seconds further back. 
 The women’s race was slightly less complicated with four of the Kenyan women who competed last week in Prague forming a lead pack along with the Ethiopian teenager Kumeshi Sichala.  The group went through 5 km in 16:07 well inside race record pace.  By 10 km the winner of the Birell Prague Grand Prix, Jepkoech had opened a 20 second lead over her compatriots, Helah Kiprop, Esther Ndiema, and Flomena Chepchirchir while Sichala dropped some 41 seconds further back.  From there Jepkoech continued to open the gap back to her country women and, although she was noticeably struggling during the final 3 or 4 kilometers she managed to win by more than a minute over second place Helah Kiprop who finished in 1:10:48 just edging Flomena Chepchirchir in 1:10:51. 
 The Czech athletes were led by Milan Kocourek who finished 12th overall in 1:05:47 and Ivana Sekyrova, 9th in 1:19:18. 
 The Mattoni Usti and Labem Half Marathon is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race with over 5000 people participating in this year’s event.  It was the final race of the 2014 RunCzech Running League in the Czech Republic.  The season will wrap up with the RunCzech Guest Race the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 2014. Registration is now open for the 2015 RunCzech events. 

News: Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon

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