Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 18: Kenya’s Charles Matata broke the course record to win the men’s elite race at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, while Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu claimed the women’s title.

Matata completed the 21.097-km course in 58 minutes and 52 seconds, improving the previous record of 58 minutes and 53 seconds set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020.

The record-breaking performance earned Matata an additional USD 12,000 over the USD 27,000 winner’s prize. Kenya swept the men’s podium, with Samwel Nyamai Mailu finishing second in 59 minutes and 24 seconds, followed by Stanley Waithaka Mburu in 59 minutes and 33 seconds.

Alemu won the women’s elite race in one hour, six minutes and 35 seconds. Kenya’s Selah Businei finished second in 1:07:01, while compatriot Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony took third place in 1:07:32.

In the Indian elite men’s category, Shailesh Kushwaha secured the title in 1:05:05. Gaurav Mathur finished second in 1:05:11, followed by Hemant Kumar in 1:05:37.

Ankita Dhyani won the Indian elite women’s title in 1:12:46. Soniya finished second in 1:14:56, while Bhagirathi secured third place in 1:15:51.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani and World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla attended the event. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off the Great Delhi Run.