Ugandan long-distance running sensation Joshua Cheptegei once again showcased his dominance by securing the men’s title at the 2024 Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday morning.
The prestigious race, known for its challenging course and competitive field, saw Cheptegei outshine a talented group of runners to claim the top prize.
Cheptegei, a renowned Olympian and world record holder in the 5000m and 10,000m races, made a decisive move in the final kilometers, pulling away from his competitors to secure the win with a time of 59:46.
His Kenyan competitors Alex Matata and Nicholas Kipkorir finished second and third, respectively.
“This victory in Delhi is very special to me,” Cheptegei said after the race. “India has been a significant part of my career, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received here. I felt good throughout the race and was able to execute my strategy.”
In the women’s race, Alemaddis Eyayu delivered a surprise victory by edging out pre-race favourite Cynthia Limo.
Eyayu’s strong finish earned her a time of 68:17, just 10 seconds ahead of Limo. Tiruye Mesfin took third place with a time of 69:42.
“I’m thrilled to have won the Delhi Half Marathon,” Eyayu said. “It was a tough race, but I was able to maintain a good pace and finish strong.”
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon offered a total prize purse of USD 260,000, with the top finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories receiving substantial cash rewards.
In the Indian Elite categories, Sawan Barwal and Lili Das claimed gold medals. Barwal improved upon his bronze medal from last year, while Das won her debut half marathon with an impressive time of 1:18:12.
The Delhi Half Marathon continues to be a highlight on the international running calendar, attracting top athletes from around the world. The event’s success is a testament to the growing popularity of road running in India.
