Addis Ababa, September 2, 2020 (FBC) -Ethiopia’s current world record holder in the women’s only division, Netsanet Gudeta headlines a strong field lined up for Saturday’s special 21-kilometre race in Prague with further records in mind.
Netsanet, 29, set the new world record in the women’s only half marathon race (1:06:11) at the 2018 World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain.
The women’s world record in a mixed gender race is held by Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh, set at the popular Ras Al Khaimah race on February 21 this year, just before the global coronavirus lockdown.
Netsanet grew up in Bekoji, Ethiopia’s “home of athletics,” coming from the same village as the famous Dibaba family.
She joined the Bekoji Project Athletics Academy in 2012, making her international road running debut in Prague the following year.
Kenyans Joan Chelimo Melly, Vibian Chepkirui, Senbere Teferi Sora of Ethiopia along with Kenya’s Edith Chelimo, Dorcas Jepchirchir Tiutoek and Dorcas Jepchumba Kimeli are the other top women runners lined up on Saturday.
Organisers RunCzech and Adidas have assembled a strong field of over 30 runners, looking to end the Covid-19-enforced lay-off in style, and with fresh distance running records.
The men’s field is headlined by nine sub one-hour half marathoners led by Stephen Kiprop Chesang who boasts a personal best time of 58:42.
Source: Liyusport.com