The 13th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon once again promises fierce racing and quick times, with breath-taking men’s and women’s fields lining up for the race on February 8.

The race which statistically can claim to be the world’s fastest half marathon, is this year to be staged partially on the brand-new man-made Al Marjan Island complex, possibly an even faster circuit than in previous years.

The bar has been set incredibly high in the last two editions of the Ras Al Khaimah event, as last year Bedan Karoki of Kenya retained his title from 2017 (59:10), storming to a 58:42 clocking and leading six others under sixty minutes, while fellow Kenyan Fancy Chemutai missed the three-month-old women’s world record by one second with her 64:52 clocking in a memorable clash with legendary Mary Keitany.

The men’s lineup

Topping this year’s men’s line-up is Ethiopia’s Abadi Hadis, who at just 20 last October, was third at the Valencia Half in 58:44, in only his second outing over 21.1km. His fabulous track times at 5,000m and 10,000m plus his Cross Country pedigree, single him out as a genuine all-round racer, and if his 2018 form on road and track is maintained, he will be the one to beat.

Behind the young Ethiopian however, on times at least, is a host of top Kenyans and fellow Ethiopians, covering between them an enticing mix of youth and experience. Jorum Okombo is one of the former, placing fourth last year (59:36) when just 20, but with a 58:48 best when runner-up in Copenhagen 2017. Despite a string of fast times over the last two years, he has yet to win a half marathon, so perhaps arrives a little hungrier than most.

The experienced Alex Korio has been consistently under the magical 60-minute barrier in recent years, while fellow Kenyan Daniel Kipchumba, after winning his debut half in Italy last April, went on to win the Copenhagen Half last September in 59:06, and was again under the hour in New Delhi in October.

While not yet a sub-60 minute performer, much attention will be focused upon Switzerland’s latest road sensation Julien Wanders. Spending much of the year training in Kenya, the 22 year old set a 27:25 European 10km record in Paris on December 30^th, and with his 60:09 half marathon best last February, is perfectly poised to become just the fifth European ever to break the one hour mark.

The women’s race

The Women’s race, so sensational last year, promises equal drama. The 2017 champion Peres Jepchirchir, in a then world record of 65:06, returns from becoming a mother, and while she may struggle to match the dramatic consistency of her 2016 racing year and the subsequent world record in Ras Al Khaimah, there is justifiable excitement about her return to the big time.

Equally keenly anticipated, is the appearance of reigning world half marathon champion Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia, who’s win in Valencia last March not only gave her global gold but was a Women’s Only World Record. The yawning winning margin behind her and the fact that she won all three of her half marathon contests in 2018, and furthermore can boast remarkable consistency over the last four years, suggests there is more to come.

A first home win is possible through the UAE’s own Alia Mohammed Saeed, who’s best time of 66:13 came in her debut and so far only outing over 21.1km, in Valencia last October; she was a close runner-up there and her three wins out of three in road 10km races last year, suggest her competitive instincts are finely honed.

Trying to stop her, will be a brace of former youngsters from her former home in Ethiopia. Although only 20 last June, Zeineba Yimer ran five half marathons in 2018, each of them of high quality, and they included a fine fifth place at the world championships in March (68:07), followed by a brace of much quicker runs in September’s Copenhagen race (66:21 pb) and New Delhi (66:59). Not having raced since that latter outing in October, should see her in fresh and ready-to-race mood.

Throw in Degitu Azimeraw who also has just one half marathon to her name, and the challenge is clear. The winner of her first international race in Kolkata, a 25km just over a year ago, she was sixth in Ras Al Khaimah last year, her one and only half marathon ever, in a fine 66:47, to place just outside the world top ten for the year.

With larger mass entry numbers than ever before, the thirteenth edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, promises the usual comprehensive mix of supreme elite racing, a joyous running experience for the thousands behind them, and quick times for all on the new circuit which has very negligible rise throughout its entire length.

RELATED: 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon report

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While world records are still intact, the action in the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah did not disappoint with one of the best ever half marathon fields on display.

Fancy Chemutai won the women’s race in course records 64:53, just two seconds off Joyciline Jepkosgei’s world record. The 23-year-old Kenyan’s time was a fantastic 43-second personal best moving her to number two on the all-time list.

The fastest woman over 13.1 miles Jepkosgei was also racing in RAK put dropped off the fast pace to finished fifth in 66:46.

Chemutai didn’t run away with the race though and was matched by women-only marathon world record holder Mary Keitany, before winning in a decisive sprint finish over the final 50 metres.

Keitany, who will target Paula Radcliffe’s marathon world-record in London this spring with male-pacers, finished second in a personal best 64:55.

Caroline Kipkirui completed a Kenyan podium in 65:07 to cement the RAK Half Marathon in the record books as the first half marathon to have three women finishing under 66:00. In fact, four finished under the mark.

Elsewhere Emily Waugh was the highest placed British runner in 15th with a big personal best 75:11. In January, Rugby & Northampton AC’s Waugh posted 2:38:43 to finish 16th at the Dubai Marathon.

Bedan Karoki retained his men’s title crossing the line in a personal best and course record 58:42. With impressive 5k splits of 13:53, 13:55, 13:56, and 13:57 Karoki moves to number four on the all-time list with his 28 second PB.

It was a comfortable win for the Kenyan athlete finishing 18 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger, Jemal Yimer.

While someway off the RAK Half Marathon title the young Ethiopian clocked 59:00 which is the fastest ever debut in a half marathon.

Kenya’s Alex Kibet completed the podium clocking a 26 second personal best in 59:06, with seven men in total dipping under 60:00.

Race recap and post-race interviews below.

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Four of the fastest seven women in history will line up for United Arab Emirates half marathon, with another seven sub-68 minute runners alongside them.

Kenya’s Jepkosgei set the world record for the half marathon twice in 2017 after finishing third in RAK last year and lines up alongside fellow Kenyan stars Keitany, Fancy Chemutai and Edith Chelimo.

Keitany, a three-time RAK winner, finished second last year, setting a personal best 65:13, and will use the half-marathon as part of her preparations for the London Marathon in April.

The defending London champion also announced last week that will target Paula Radcliffe’s mixed-race marathon world record of 2:15.25 with the assistance of male pacers at this year’s event.

“The marathon world record is something that I have been working towards for several years and I feel I am now in the position where I can really attack the time of 2:15:25,” said Keitany who broke the women-only marathon world record (2:17:01) last year in the UK capital. “At last year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, I was feeling good but it was hard to run nearly half the race on my own.

“By having male pacemakers, I will be able to have the support throughout the race.”

The support of male pacers will also be available to the 36-year-old on the roads of Ras Al Khaimah after organisers of the half marathon have confirmed it.

Jepkosgei, the world’s fastest woman over 13.1 miles, finished third in RAK last year behind the 65:06 then world record of Peres Jepchirchir, who sits out the race this year.

It was just 50 days after RAK 2017 and racing in Prague, that Jepkosgei improved the global mark, taking it to previously uncharted sub-65 minute territory, and then bettered that 64:52 clocking by one second in Valencia last October.

The men’s field was announced on Monday 22nd January and has been further strengthened. While last year’s RAK fourth placer Solomon Yego has pulled out with injury, both London-bound Stanley Biwott and Ghirmay Ghebreslassie have been added to the field.

Biwott was runner-up in RAK in both 2013 and 2016, the earlier of those two runs producing his best of 58:56, making him the tenth fastest in history. Ghebreslassie is the 2015 IAAF World Marathon Champion and Rio Olympic fourth placer.

RAK Half Marathon women’s elite field

Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 64:51 (WR)
Mary Keitany (KEN) 65:13
Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 65:36
Edith Chelimo (KEN) 65:52
Gladys Cherono (KEN) 66:07
Eunice Chumba (BRN) 66:11
Joan Chelimo Melly (KEN) 66:25
Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 66:35
Caroline Kipkirui (KEN) 66:48
Lucy Cheruiyot (KEN) 67:23
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 67:44
Naomi Jebet (KEN) 68:44
Helen Bekele Tola (ETH) 69:48
Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) Debut

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