Ebenyo led a Kenyan clean sweep with a winning time of 59:30. Amos Kurgat and Isaia Lasoi took second and third with 59:42 and 59:47 respectively.
Kenya’s pre-race favourite Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Ethiopia’s youngster Tekle Muluat won the 43rd edition of the Generali Berlin Half Marathon.
Ebenyo led a Kenyan clean sweep with a winning time of 59:30. Amos Kurgat and Isaia Lasoi took second and third with 59:42 and 59:47 respectively.
In the women’s race, 19-year-old newcomer Tekle Muluat became the surprise champion with 66:53. Fellow Ethiopian Ftaw Zeray was second with 67:22 and Germany’s Melat Kejeta took third place in 67:26.
Ebenyo, who headed to Berlin with the world record of 57:31 which would have been a new course record (the current mark is 58:42 held by compatriot Eric Kiptanui from his win in 2018) and personal best, in mind, was unsuccessful in his bid, falling short by 49 seconds on the world mark held by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo.
“I came here to Berlin because I wanted to break the world record. But from around eleven kilometers I had a problem with my knee and the weather became very warm. So I knew I would not be able to break the record. I will definitely try again next time,“ said Ebenyo, who lost most of his huge lead in the final seven kilometers.
The World Half Marathon Championships silver medalist started very fast and quickly was well ahead with his pacemaker Bravin Kiptoo. The two passed the 5k mark in 13:28 which pointed to a sensational sub-57 finishing time, well under the mark of Kiplimo (57:31).
However, this pace was a bit overambitious and with rising temperatures, there was no chance for Ebenyo to keep running that fast. With a 27:29 10k split, he was outside world record pace and from then on he had to run alone at the front.
Ebenyo slowed further and soon after 15k (41:35) the 58:42 course record looked out of reach, eventually finishing outside his PB.
Men:
1. Daniel Ebenyo KEN 59:30
2. Amos Kurgat KEN 59:42
3. Isaia Lasoi KEN 59:47
4. Benard Biwott KEN 60:21
5. Bravin Kiprop KEN 60:29
6. Diego Estrada USA 61:05
7. Robert Koech KEN 61:27
8. Victor Kimutai KEN 61:29
9. Samuel Fitwi GER 61:33
10. Selvarolo Pasquale ITA 61:57