Berlin, Germany - Patrick Makau Musyoki has won another major half marathon this year, but it was a very close affair. The 23 year-old Kenyan who had won the races in Ras Al Khaimah (United Arab Emirates), Reading (Gbr) and The Hague (NED) today took victory at the Vattenfall Berlin Half Marathon, defending his title from last year, clocking exactly one hour for the distance.
Musyoki was faster in Ras Al Khaimah (59:35) and in uncomfortable cold conditions in the German capital he had to give everything at the end of the race to deny Eshetu Wondimu. The Ethiopian crossed the line just one second behind the winner in 60:01 minutes.
Peninah Arusei put in a fine performance in the women’s race. The Kenyan clocked 68:22, which is the third fastest times this year so far.
A record number of 20,660 runners from 86 nations had entered Germany’s biggest and best quality half marathon. 17,733 runners finished the race. Adding other events 24,551 athletes had entered the event. More than 150,000 spectators lined the course in the city which will stage the IAAF World Championships in Athletics next year.
This early split times indicated that the course record would probably be out of reach. 5 k were passed by 14:07 minutes. While all big favourites were in the leading group the pacemaker was not: Charles Ngolepus had dropped back far too early. “This was not as we had planned it,” said Race Director Mark Milde. The 10km point was reached in 28:22 – almost one minutes slower than a year ago.
42:48 was the split time for 15km and then a group of four runners headed for the 20km mark. Next to Musyoki and Wondimu there were two Kenyans: Elijah Keitany (Kenya), who later finished third in 60:10, and William Todoo (Kenya), who ran 60:12 for fourth.

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