Sifan Hassan, competing in her first serious race over 13.1 miles, ran 65:15 to break the European half marathon record at the CPH Half on Sunday (September 16).

Hassan, who won European 5000m gold in August, bettered the previous record by one minute and 10 seconds. Fellow Dutch athlete Lornah Kiplagat, who like Hassan was born in East Africa, held the record of 66:25 since 2007.

“It was really hard and I always thought I would die, but I’m really happy and proud of my result,” said Hassan after her performance, which ranks her eighth on the world all-time list. “The pace was so hard, but I just kept coming back.”

Having focused predominately on 1500m racing throughout her career, Hassan stepped up to the longer distances this year and broke the European 5000m record with a 14:22.34 performance at the Rabat Diamond League in July.

The 25 year-old followed her record-breaking performance to win 5000m gold at the European Championships in August.

After a demanding season on the track, to deliver such a performance in her first serious attempt at the distance, one can expect a promising future on the roads, with only seven Kenyan athletes faster, led by Joyciline Jepkosgei’s world record of 64:51.

Photo: CPH Half

On the European all-time lists, as well as holding the top spot in the 5000m and half marathon, Hassan is also ranked second over the mile, seventh over 1500m and 11th in the 3000m.

Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh finished second in 65:46, ahead of race favourite Joan Chelimo of Kenya who clocked 66:15.

The winner of men’s race was Kenya’s Daniel Kipchumba in a time of 59:06. Kipchumba won the race in a sprint finish ahead of Abraham Kiptum and Jemal Yimer Mekonnen.

Photo: CPH Half

Double world 3000m indoor champion, Yomif Kejelcha, finished fourth on his debut in a time of 59:17.

A total of eight men inside 60 minutes, while eight women dipped under 68 minutes.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, Eliud Kipchoge clocked 2:01:39 to become the fastest marathoner ever as he stormed to victory at the Berlin Marathon. A full report can be found here.

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European 5000m champion Sifan Hassan will race for the first time over 13.1 miles at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday, September 16.

The Dutch star is among a stellar field for the annual Danish capital half marathon event, that includes 15 men who have run under the hour and eight women who have dipped inside 68 minutes.

Having focused predominately on 1500m racing in the past, Hassan joined the US-based Nike Oregon Project in 2016 and has been working towards the longer distances ever since, with European 5000m gold this month in Berlin her crowning moment thus far. The previous month, Hasan also broke the European record and Dutch national record with a 14:22.34 performance at the Diamond League in Rabat.

UPDATE: The Ethiopian born athlete was set to be joined by American training partners Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay on the streets of Copenhagen, however, the duo have now withdrawn as they focus on the Chicago Marathon in October.

“In the world of running, it is said that CPH Half is going to be the most exciting half marathon in decades,” said Jakob Larsen, director of the Danish Athletics Federation and member of the IAAF Road Race Commission.

“An elite field boasting 15 sub-60 men, three out of four of the fastest half marathon runners over the past six years, and four out of the top-five IAAF ranked road runners, is proof of an extremely high level. Actually, I don’t think we have seen anything like this in many years.”

Women’s elite summary

While Hassan’s debut over the distance will have many watching, there are also eight leading women on the start-line with a sub-68:00 personal best. With four out of the top-ten IAAF world ranked road runners in the line-up, we have a broad field with two major favourites leading the way – one of which will be targeting the world record.

Joan Chelimo Melly, the fourth fastest woman of all time, returns after taking second place at last year’s CPH Half and has announced that she will be targeting the world record in Copenhagen. Netsanet Gudeta, who is reigning world champion and current world-record holder (women-only), is also a strong candidate to seek the win.

“Until now, a world record in the women’s race was not realistic. But with world champion Netsanet Gudeta and Joan Melly in the line-up, we will see a really fast race,” said Larsen. “Melly has announced that she will be attacking the world record, and with a personal best of 65:04 set earlier this year, she has demonstrated that she has the required level”

Men’s elite summary

In the men’s division, the odds favour the defending CPH Half champ, Abraham Cheroben, who set a 2017 world lead time in the streets of Copenhagen when breaking the tape in 58:40. The other major favourite is this year’s Berlin Half Marathon champion, Erick Kiptanui, who has announced that he will be attacking the world record in Copenhagen.

Due to the mind-boggling elite level, Jemal Yimer Mekonnen of Ethiopia, who boasts the world’s third-fastest half marathon time and an impressive 59 minutes dash set earlier this year, must see himself left outside of the favourites to take the win among a field stacked with sub-hour runners.

Also confirmed for the CPH Half is 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru, USA’s Leonard Korir, while outside of the sub-60:00 men, Olympian Paul Pollock will provide Irish interest.

Additionally, second and third respectively at the CPH Half last year, Jorum Okombo and Alex Korio of Kenya, will return to Copenhagen. Together with Cheroben, they were the only three men to dip under 59 minutes in 2017, ranking them eighth and 10th of all times.

Leading women

Netsanet Gudeta Kebede, ETH, 66.11
Joan Chelimo Melly, KEN, 65.04
Edith Chelimo, KEN, 65.52
Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 66.19
Ababel Yeshaneh Brihane, ETH, 66.22
Mary Wacera Ngugi, KEN, 66.29
Meskerem Assefa, ETH, 67.42
Sifan Hassan, NED

Leading men

Abraham Cheroben, BRN, 58.40
Erick Kiptanui, KEN, 58.42
Jemal Yimer Mekonnen, ETH, 59.00
Jorum Lumbasi Okombo, KEN, 58.48
Alex Oloitiptip Korio, KEN, 58.51
Mangata Ndiwa, KEN, 59.07
Daniel Kinyua Wanjiru, KEN, 59.20
Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo, KEN, 59.26
Abrahm Kiptum, KEN, 59.36
Morris Munene Gachaga, KEN, 59.36
James Rungaru, KEN, 59.37
Amdework Walelegn Tadese, ETH, 59.50
Moses Martin Kurong, UGA, 59.50
Leonard Korir, USA, 59.52
Asefa Mengstu Negewo, ETH, 59.54

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