Kenya’s Alex Nzioka Matata and Miriam Chebet delivered outstanding performances to shatter course records at the Yangzhou Half Marathon on Sunday.
The race, one of the most prestigious road events on the global calendar, saw Kenyan athletes extend their dominance, marking the third consecutive year they have swept both elite titles.
Matata, 27, successfully defended his title in emphatic style, clocking a remarkable 59:11 to win the men’s race. His time sliced 20 seconds off the previous course record he set last year, while also improving his personal best. The performance stands as a Chinese all-comers’ record, further cementing his growing reputation on the international stage.
The Kenyan has now recorded the three fastest half-marathon times ever run on Chinese soil. His victory in Yangzhou comes just two weeks after another triumph at the Meishan Renshou Half Marathon, highlighting a rich vein of form. Since making his international debut less than two years ago, Matata has broken the 60-minute barrier in 10 of his 13 appearances—an extraordinary achievement in elite distance running.
Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer Mekonen finished second in 59:30, while Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba secured third place in 59:57.
In the women’s race, Chebet produced an equally dominant display, surging ahead in the closing stages to claim victory in 1:06:27. Her time broke the course record by 38 seconds and came just 20 seconds shy of her lifetime best set last year in Istanbul.
The win continues Chebet’s impressive start to the season, following a strong 10km performance in Valencia earlier this year. Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray Bezabh took second place in 1:07:02, with Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui finishing third in 1:07:15.
With commanding victories in both the men’s and women’s races, Kenya once again reaffirmed its dominance in long-distance running on the global stage, as Yangzhou witnessed yet another showcase of endurance, speed, and record-breaking excellence.
