The 2016 World Half Marathon bronze medallist Mary Ngugi-Cooper stamped her authority at the Great North Run in England on Sunday, racing to a commanding victory in 1:07:40.
Hot on her heels were Ethiopian’s Senbere Teferi, the 2015 World 5,000m silver medallist and 2023 London Marathon runner-up Alemu Megertu, who clocked 1:01:41 and 1:01:42 respectively.
Sheila Chepkirui, the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist, finished just outside the podium in 1:07:44 while the 2016 Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot settled for sixth in of 1:07:54.
Reflecting on her performance, Ngugi described the victory as a lifelong dream fulfilled.
“It was amazing. It has always been a dream to come and race here. For me to come here, do it and win it is a dream come true,” Ngugi said after the race.
Sunday’s triumph adds to Ngugi’s impressive 2024 campaign, where she clinched the Roma Half Marathon title in March with a 1:07:38 finish, followed by a sixth-place finish at the Boston Marathon in April (2:24:24).
In the men’s race, 2021 Valencia Half Marathon champion Abel Kipchumba claimed victory in 59:52, with Britain's Mark Scott (1:01:11) and Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen (1:01:25) completing the podium.
Evans Chebet, a two-time Boston Marathon champion, finished fifth in 1:02:31.
Chebet was using the race as part of his preparation for the New York Marathon, scheduled for November 3, where he is set to clash with Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola.
Meanwhile, Great Britain's Jade Hall won the women's wheelchair race by over eight minutes.
Hall was competing in her first half marathon since giving birth in March and clocked a time of 58:26.
"I am really happy with how today went and I have been training really hard," said Hall.
"I do feel like I have a different body now, I'm working with a different body and learning how that works for me now.
"Timings are all different, juggling motherhood and training is completely different but I am enjoying it."
Her compatriot Claudia Burrough finished second in 1:06:52 and Spain's Carmen Gimenez placed third.
In the men's wheelchair race, Britain's Johnboy Smith won in 48:59, with compatriot Sean Frame finishing close behind in 49:39.
Spain's Rafael Botello Jimenez placed third.
