Kenyas Kipruto and Chepkirui break world records in Valencia

Kenya’s Rhonex Kipruto and Sheila Chepkirui smashed world records in the men’s and women’s races at the Valencia Iberjia road race held Sunday.

Kipruto clocked 26:24  to smash a yet to be ratified 26:38  record set by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei last month in the same city albeit in a different course.

The World 10,000m bronze medalist half-way split of 13:18 was also an improvement on the 5km world record with his second half split of 13:06 was even faster although would not be eligible for ratification.

Kipruto’s compatriot  Benard Kimeli finished second in 27:12, just ahead of Switzerland’s Julien Wanders, who set a European record of 27:13.

Chepkirui, meanwhile clocked 29:42 as she erased a second off Joyciline Jepkosgei world record set in Prague in 2017.

Kenyan pair of Rosemary Wanjiru and Steeplechase specialist Norah Jeruto placed second and third respectively both clocking 29:46.

It was also the first time in any road race for the women to finish inside the half hour mark.

SELECTED RESULTS

Men

1 Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 26:24

2 Benard Kimeli (KEN) 27:12

3 Julien Wanders (SUI) 27:13

Women

1 Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 29:42

2 Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) 29:46

3 Norah Jeruto (KEN) 29:46