Gemechu breaks Sifan Hassan’s race record in Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN – With all COVID-19 restrictions lifted in Denmark, the Copenhagen Half Marathon – with close to 20.000 participants - on Sunday again produced a string of top results. In a very tight finish, Amdework Walalegn of Ethiopia managed to keep Kenya’s Kenneth Renju behind winning in 59:10 minutes with Renju dipping under one hour for the first time with a massive personal best of 59:12. Another Kenyan, Daniel Mateiko, was the big surprise keeping up with the other two runners until the last kilometer. He as well was rewarded with a huge personal best of 59:25.

In near perfect conditions in the Danish capital, sunny and 14 degrees, the Ugandan pacemaker Abel Sikowa did an excellent job leading a group of nine runners through the first 15K in 42:15 min. before dropping out. Just one kilometer on, the group suddenly had diminished to a trio that would go on and take the top-3 spots.

Sifan Hassan’s race record broken
Back in Copenhagen in 2018, Sifan Hassan triumphed with a European Record of 65:15 minutes. That race record now is in the hands of Tsehay Gemechu who cut off seven seconds of the time crossing the line in 65:08. The 22-year-old Ethiopian – 4th at the 2019 World Championships at 5000 meters – thereby improved her personal best with almost a minute.

“I was hoping to break my personal best and run close to 65 minutes, and beating Sifan Hassan’s race record of course is something special. I am very happy. It was a bit windy, so I had to work hard. But I look forward to come back to Copenhagen next year,” Gemechu said.

Hawi Feysa secured an Ethiopian double victory taking second spot In a PB of 65:41 with Vivian Kiplagat of Kenya in third.