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Kandie eyes strong start to the 2025 season with a triumph in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region chief executive John Lee stated that they expect over 8,000 athletes.

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by TEDDY MULEI

Sports03 January 2025 - 18:35
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In Summary


  • The race, now in its second edition, has earned World Athletics Gold Label Road Race status, solidifying its place among the elite global running events.

Kibiwott Kandie in action during the Lotto National cross country championships at Ngong race course /HANDOUT

The 2020 World Half Marathon silver medallist Kibiwott Kandie will be hoping to launch his 2025 campaign with a statement victory at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Half Marathon on Sunday.

The race, now in its second edition, has earned World Athletics Gold Label Road Race status, solidifying its place among the elite global running events.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region chief executive John Lee stated that they expect over 8,000 athletes.

“The race attracts more top runners from around the world to compete alongside local athletes. Running along the world’s longest bridge-tunnel sea crossing, some 8,000 athletes are expected to feature in the race.”

Kandie’s 2024 season started brightly with a commanding victory at the Barcelona Half Marathon on February 11, where he clocked 59:22 ahead of Sweden’s Andreas Almgren ( 59:23 ) and Roncer Konga ( 59:28 ).

However, his track ambitions fell short at the Kenyan 10,000m Olympic Trials during the Prefontaine Classic on May 25, where he finished sixth ( 26:58.97 ), missing out on a Paris 2024 Olympic slot.

On September 29, he featured at the Berlin Marathon, clocking 2:06:46 for a 13th. Despite the roller-coaster year, Kandie remains one of the most formidable forces in the half marathon distance.

The 28-year-old Kenyan etched his name in athletics history on December 6, 2020, when he shattered the World Half Marathon Record in Valencia, clocking 57:32.

Though the mark was later eclipsed by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo ( 57:31) and subsequently Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha (57:30 ), Kandie’s dominance remains undeniable.

His résumé boasts multiple titles, including two more victories at the Valencia Half Marathon ( 57:40 in 2023 and 58:10 in 2022 ), alongside triumphs at Prague ( 58:38 ) and Ras Al Khaimah ( 58:58 )—both achieved in 2020.

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