Karoki Makes Outstanding Half Marathon Debut with 59:58 Win in Lisbon

Published by the IAAF on March 16, 2014

Kenya’s London 2012 Olympic Games and 2013 IAAF World Championships 10,000m finalist Bedan Karoki made a great debut over the half marathon distance, winning the EDP Half Marathon of Lisbon in 59:58 on Sunday (16).

During the first 5 kilometres of the IAAF Gold Label Road Race, Karoki was in some discomfort due to slight cramps in his legs and he lagged behind the leading group, paced by ‘rabbit’ Alex Koria.

He eventually got to the front at 10 km, where he had his compatriots Silas Kipruto and Ezekiel Chebii, the fastest man in the field with a best of 59:05, and Eritrea’s two-time IAAF World Cross Coiuntry Champiuonships medallist Teklemariam Medhin.

Mehdin briefly took the lead but the Kenyan trio overtook him in the final quarter of the race before having their own private battle for the medals.

Chebii lost contact with his comptariots in the 14th kilometre and although Kipruto stayed with Karoki until just after 18km, the latter proved too strong for him over the final three kilometres

Kipruto finbished second in 1.00.17, while Chebii was third with 1.00.50 and Mhedin finished a distant fourth in 1:01:17.

“This wasn’t the debut race I dreamed about. I had problems with my legs the first few kilometres and it was hard to reach the front of the race. The course is great, totally flat, I’m sure the world record can be broken again here (Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese set the current standard of 58:23 when winning here in 2010). I’m glad of winning but I expected more,” said Karoki, who will switch his attention back to the track this summer and then contest another half marathon later in the year.

However, it’s clear Karoki is now a force to be reckoned with on the roads after also making his debut over 10km in San Jose three weeks ago and winning the World’s Best 10K there in 28:55.