Prague 21km runner rues missed record as Kenyans dominate European races

THE 2014 World U20 3,000m silver medallist Lilian Kasait was left disappointed despite storming to victory at the Prague Half Marathon on Saturday.

Kasait led a Kenyan 1-2 finish with a time of 1:05:28, leading Veronica Lole, who clocked 1:06:39.

Ethiopia’s Sintayehu Lewetegn settled for third in 1:08:42. Although delighted with the win, Kasait admitted she was gunning for the course record of 1:04:52 set by Joyciline Jepkosgei in 2017.

“It feels amazing to have won here today, but I was targeting the course record,” Kasait said after the race.

She attributed the strong winds to her not meeting her targets. “There was a lot of wind so it became a big struggle for me, but all in all I am pleased with the win,” she added.

The triumph in Prague adds to Kasait’s impressive form as she eyes a strong 2025 campaign following a memorable 2024 season.

Last year, she opened her season with a third-place finish at the Valencia 10K, clocking 29:32. She followed it up with a runners-up finish in the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, clocking 31:08 before goIng on to win the Bengaluru 10K in India (30:56).

Kasait made her second Olympic appearance in August at the Stade de France, Paris, missing the 10,000m podium after a fifth-place finish, clocking 30:45.04. Despite the Paris setback, she came back stronger, claiming a podium finish at the Valencia Half Marathon (1:03:32), Hong Kong 10k (31:12) and Al Sharqiyah 5K (14:50).

In the men’s race in Prague, Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera powered to victory in 58:54, edging Kenya’s Isaiah Kipchoech (58:56) and Ezra Kipketer (59:20) in a thrilling finish.

In Milan, Leonard Kipkoech led a Kenyan podium sweep in the men’s race, winning in 2:08:39 ahead of Isaac Kipkemboi (2:08:46) and Timothy Kosgei (2:09:12). In the women’s race, Joan Jepkosgei secured second place in 2:25:33 behind Ethiopia’s Shure Ware (2:23:32).

At the Berlin Half Marathon, Richard Etir produced a strong performance to claim second place in 59:29 behind Ethiopia’s Gemechu Diriba (58:43).

Kenyan women reigned supreme in Vienna, with Betty Chepkemoi taking the marathon crown in 2:24:14, leading a clean podium sweep.

Rebecca Tanui (2:25:18) and Catherine Cherotich (2:25:45) sealed second and third, respectively. In the men’s race, Mica Kiplagat secured second place in 2:10:23 behind Ethiopia’s Haftamu Abadi (2:08:28) and ahead of Mogos Tuemay (2:10:33) of Ethiopia.