Prague, March 29 (IANS): Kenyan runner Daniel Kinyua Wanjiru and Ethiopian Worknesh Degefa have won the men's and women's competition respectively at the Prague half marathon.

Wanjiru clocked 59 minutes 51 seconds, while Degefa finished in one hour and 07:14 minutes on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

The biggest favourite of men's race, Kenyan Leonard Komon, was six seconds behind Wanjiru in the third place. Another Kenyan runner Wilfred Murgor Kipkosgei took the second place.

Wanjiru said it was a very tough race. He began to accelerate after 15 kilometres, managing to get rid of the others. He received a prize of 4,000 euros ($4,400).

Degefa improved her personal best record, but it was not easy.

She said it was a tough race for her, not only because the rivals, but also because of the weather which changed a lot and sometimes windy. Moreover, the cobblestones road bothered her, or she could be even better.

As many as 12,500 runners from 81 countries took part in the race.