The race was led by four African runners. Renju decided on his triumph when crossing the Manes Bridge a few hundred meters before the finish at Rudolfinum, when he separated from the eighth man in the historical tables, Philemon Kiplim. “I’m happy. It was very cold, so I didn’t run a personal record. I’m happy for the victory,” Renju, 25, told Czech Television, who improved his personal maximum to 58:35 during a race in the United Arab Emirates in February this year.
The third Matthew Kimeli also got under the hour, condemning Benard Kimeli, the winner of the last two classic years of the Prague Half Marathon from 2018 and 2019, to fourth place. The role of the biggest Czech favorite was confirmed by Homoláč, who ran the half marathon best since 2019. At 1:04:37 he still felt due to the conditions of the reserve.
“It was challenging today, the wind was pretty windy. We took turns with the boys, but it was a fight. I’m glad that after two years I showed another beautiful performance and I believe it will be even better. Because I’m trained,” he said.
The role of the favorite of the women’s race was confirmed by the 25-year-old member of the RunCzech Rancing team, Jepletingová. She raced in Prague for the first time two years ago, when she was running at the half marathon for the elite at Letná and finished second. This time she rejoiced in the victory.
| Prague Half Marathon: |
|---|
| Men: |
| 1. Reigns 59:28 |
| 2. Kiplimo 59:33 |
| 3. M. Kimeli (all of Kenya) 59:46 |
| … 14. Homoláč 1:04:36 |
| 19. J. Zemaník 1:07:01 |
| 20. Křivohlávek (all CR) 1:07:11 |
| Women: |
| 1. N. Jepletingova 1:06:57 |
| 2. Cheptaiová 1:07:16 |
| 3. B. Jepleting (all Kenya) 1:08:39 |
| … Homolková 1:20:31 |
| Pebble 1:21:21 |
| Rusínová (all Czech Republic) 1:24:05 |
