Sports News | Kwizera Breaks Spanish Half-marathon Record, Chepkirui Wins Valencia Race by One Second
Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. Rodrigue Kwizera broke the Spanish national record to win the men's title at the Valencia Half Marathon, while Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui edged compatriot Diana Wanza by one second to claim the women's crown here on Sunday.
Valencia [Spain], October 25 (ANI): Rodrigue Kwizera broke the Spanish national record to win the men's title at the Valencia Half Marathon, while Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui edged compatriot Diana Wanza by one second to claim the women's crown here on Sunday.
Kwizera, who previously represented Burundi before switching allegiance to Spain, clocked 58 minutes and three seconds to improve the Spanish record of 59:39. His training partner and fellow Spaniard Thierry Ndikumwenayo finished second in 58:09, while Kenya's Victor Kipruto took third place in 58:12, reported Olympics.com.
The men's race witnessed an exceptional level of competition, with five athletes finishing inside 59 minutes, all recording personal bests.
In the women's event, Chepkirui crossed the finish line in 1:03:51, narrowly ahead of Wanza, who clocked 1:03:52. Chepkirui's winning time placed her joint fifth on the women's half-marathon all-time list, while Wanza moved to sixth on the list after improving her personal best by more than three minutes.
Also Read | Harmanpreet Kaur Moves Past Mithali Raj To Claim Second-Most Women’s ODI Hundreds Record for India.
Daisilah Jerono of Kenya completed the podium in 1:04:11, as six women finished the race in under 65 minutes.
Spain's Laura Luengo Caselles also made history by setting a national record in the women's race, clocking 1:08:28.
The Valencia Half Marathon once again produced fast times across both fields, with the close finish in the women's event adding to an exciting day of racing.
Valencia Half Marathon 2026: Men's Results - Top 10
1. Rodrigue Kwizera (ESP) - 58:03 (NR)
2. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) - 58:09
3. Victor Kipruto (KEN) - 58:12
4. Tadese Worku (ETH) - 58:33
5. Owen Kapkama (KEN) - 58:42
6. Jemal Yimer (ETH) - 59:01
7. James Kipkosgei (KEN) - 59:03
8. Yaseen Abdalla (SUD) - 59:12
9. Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) - 59:20
10. Melkeneh Azize (ETH) - 59:20
Valencia Half Marathon 2026: Women's Results - Top 10
1. Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) - 1:03:51
2. Diana Wanza (KEN) - 1:03:52
3. Daisilah Jerono (KEN) - 1:04:11
4. Mizan Alem (ETH) - 1:04:54
5. Senayet Getachew (ETH) - 1:04:57
6. Caroline Gitonga (KEN) - 1:04:59
7. Gladys Kwamboka (KEN) - 1:05:02
8. Jesca Chelangat (KEN) - 1:05:29
9. Miriam Chebet (KEN) - 1:05:39
10. Aynadis Mebratu (ETH) - 1:05:40 (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)