The women's course record at the Cardiff Half Marathon was smashed on Sunday by Kenyan athlete Joyciline Jepkosgei, who crossed the finish line in 1:05:40.
Jepkosgei, already the first woman in history to run under 65 minutes, took 12 seconds off Edith Chelimo's course record, which had stood since 2017. The 32-year-old, who has previously conquered the London, New York and Valencia marathons, said the Cardiff crowds were some of the most excited she had ever seen.
Record-breaking run
Thousands gathered in the sunshine to cheer on the participants, and Jepkosgei said these crowds gave her the motivation she needed to smash the record. The women's race was a two-horse contest between Jepkosgei and Ethiopia's Wede Kefale until the eventual champion pushed clear.
“I’m so grateful and happy to win this race,” she said. “It was a tough course but I kept fighting so I’m happy to get the victory here. I enjoyed it out there but there were some hills, especially near the end, which made it tough, but coming down the last straight and getting the win was special. The crowds were some of the most excited I have seen and they were across the whole course, which gave me another level of motivation. I will enjoy this win now and recover.”
Men's race and wheelchair event
Kefale's personal best was also inside the long-standing Cardiff course record, but Jepkosgei surged clear with three miles to go around Roath Park Lake and maintained control as she headed back into the city centre.
In the men's race, Gideon Kiprotich made it a Kenyan double after fighting off 2025 champion Yismaw Dillu. Dillu's 59:22 course record survived as Kiprotich stormed to victory in 59:34. The 25-year-old, who dipped under 59 minutes in Rome last year, left Dillu behind around the nine-mile point after reaching it in 40:35.
“It feels great to win this race, there were some hard moments, but I am very happy to win. I felt good so I got quicker in the second half of the race and I am happy I could keep the pace to win. I enjoyed the crowds too, it was a good day,” he said.
The wheelchair competitions kicked off proceedings beneath the imposing presence of Cardiff Castle, with Sam Kolek knocking three minutes off his personal Cardiff Half Marathon best to win in 53:05 after his nearest rival JohnBoy Smith was forced to pull out after suffering a puncture.
Full results
Men
- Gideon Kiprotich - 59:34
- Yismaw Dillu - 1:00:18
- Jonah Rutio - 1:01:13
- Simon Maywa - 1:01:36
- Gemechu Tolosa - 1:01:51
Women
- Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) — 1:05:40
- Wede Kefale (Ethiopia) — 1:05:54
- Tigist Tesema (Ethiopia) — 1:07:23
- Winnie Kimutai (Kenya) — 1:07:50
- Emebet Kebede (Ethiopia) — 1:09:45
Wheelchair
- Sam Kolek (Poland, Kirby AC) — 53:05
- Mel Nicholls (Great Britain, Coventry Godiva) — 1:07:04
- Xander Foster (Weir Archer Academy) — 1:08:09
- Owain Terrell (Great Britain, Newport Harriers) — 1:15:32
- Claire Howard (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) — 1:32:10
