By Rob Carbon
It was a double win for Kenya at the Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon as Geoffrey Koech and Beatrice Cheserek stormed to victories in the men’s and women’s races in the Welsh capital.
The African duo headed a field that included more than 20,000 entrants on the same day as the London Marathon took place.
Hopes were high that the 29-year-old Koech might threaten the course record of 59 mis, 30 sec set by fellow Kenyan Leonard Langat in 2019, but in the end he had to content himself with his fourth fastest half-marathon time of 60:01as he just failed to break the magical hour mark.
“The course is good and it feels good to win here. I pushed really hard and it was my fastest performance in Cardiff,” said Koech.
He ended 25 seconds outside his previous best time, set in Houston in 2020, but produced a strong enough run to outkick Ethiopians Gizealaw Ayana, who crossed in second, and Chimdessa Gudeta in third.
And it was another victory for Kenya in the women’s race with Beatrice Cheserek winning on her event debut in 66:48 to finish ahead of compatriot Viola Chepngeno and Zewditu Aderaw, of Ethiopia.
Fresh from winning the Gothenburg Half Marathon last September, Cheserek was delighted with stripping almost four minutes off her winning time of 70:48 in Sweden.
“This was my first time in Cardiff. The support was fantastic and helped me to work hard,” she said.
The Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon holds a prestigious World Athletics Elite Road Race label and featured one of its strongest fields to date, with more nationalities represented than ever before.
Newport’s Natasha Cockram – who represented Wales at this year’s Commonwealth Games – was the first Briton home in the women’s race, finishing in 73:11.
She had planned to compete at the London Marathon, but a bout of Covid scuppered her plans.
Cheserek crosses the finish line! 😃 pic.twitter.com/nAt6BHSwwh
— Cardiff Half | Hanner Marathon Caerdydd (@CardiffHalf) October 2, 2022
“There was no way I was going to be marathon ready so soon after Covid. Obviously today was a lot slower than back in March but I’m happy to come out here and win the domestic part of the race,” said Cockram, the Welsh marathon record holder and reigning British champion.
“There were some fast girls up at the front but I’m happy with that at the end of a 100-mile week. I love returning here – it’s home and the crowds are amazing. It was all a bit of rush, I only decided on Friday to come but I am so glad I came.”
Carmarthen’s Dewi Griffiths was the first British man home as he took the tape in 64:15.
“After the first 400 metres I realised why I love this race so much. You get so much support all the way around as a Welsh athlete and the crowds really kept me going when it got tough,” said the Swansea Harrier.
A special moment on today’s finish line 🥺
Well deserved Jemma, Daisy and Ceri. 🙌 #R4W10 https://t.co/RHcK5uQm2L
— Cardiff Half | Hanner Marathon Caerdydd (@CardiffHalf) October 2, 2022
In the elite wheelchair race, Mel Nicholls of Worcester, who competed on the track at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, powered home in 60:19.
“All week I was preparing for the wind and the rain, but the weather was amazing,” said Nicholls.