Mathew Kimeli wins Bangsaen21 Half Marathon

Kenya’s Mathew Kimeli beat a strong elite field at the 9th edition of the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon, the world first and only platinum race, held on Sunday (17) in Bang Saen Beach, Thailand.

The 25 year-old who came to this race with the fastest time on paper of 58:43 that he got two years ago at the Medio Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP, where he finished in seventh place, took charge of the race with one kilometer remaining as he passed Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Getachew Tadese with a lightning speed that he could not respond to.

Kimeli pulled further away as he created a gap of 20m and maintained the pace, cutting the tape first in a time of 1:03.39 and was followed by Tadese in second place six seconds later with the 2019 World bronze medallist, Amos Kipruto wrapping up the podium three finishes in 1:03.52.

Kenyans Nobert Kipkoech Kigen and Enock Onchari finished in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 1:04.35 and 1:05.58.

The race course record of 1:01.56 set last year by Kenya’s Josphat Kemei remains standing.

LEADING RESULTS

21KM MEN

1. Mathew Kipkorir Kimeli      (KEN) 1:03.39
2. Tsegaye Getachew Tadese   (ETH) 1:03.45
3. Amos Kipruto                        (KEN) 1:03.52
4. Nobert Kipkoech Kigen       (KEN) 1:04.35
5. Enock Onchari                      (KEN) 1:05.58