IAAF ratifies all four of Jepkosgei world records

World athletics governing body, IAAF, on Thursday announced it has ratified all the four world record records ran by Joyciline Jepkosgei at the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon on April 1.

Jepkosgei smashed the world records for 10km, 15km and 20km marks en route to becoming the first woman to run sub-65:00 in the half-marathon. She won that historic run at the Czech capital in 1:04:52.

The previous record for women’s half-marathon set by compatriot Peres Jepchirchir, had barely stood for two months when it fell under the assault of Jepkosgei.

Jepchirchir, winner of the Ottawa 10K in 2016, ran 65:06 in February at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in United Arab Emirates.

Jepkosgei went through 10K in 30:05 (previous best 30:21 by British star Paula Radcliffe), 15K in 45:37 and 20K in 1:01:25. Her 1:04:52 half-marathon time is approximately 3:04 per kilometre pace.

Reports indicate Jepkosgei’s record-breaking achievements at the Czech capital came with a Ksh11.6 million windfall for setting multiple world records within the same race.

Other world records ratified include that of Portugal’s Inês Henriques who established the first official women’s world record in January for the 50km race walk when she covered the distance in 4:08:26.

American sprint hurdler Trey Cunningham who sped to a world U20 record of 7.40 in the 60m hurdles (99cm U20 height) early March at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships also had his record ratified by the IAAF.