By Bob Ramsak
Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea and Kenyan Mary Keitany collected dominating victories at IAAF / EDF Energy World Half Marathon Championships today in Birmingham, England.
Surging away from the field after 10 kilometers, Tadese won his fourth straight title in 59:35, a championships record, easily holding off the challenge by Kenyan Bernard Kipyego who clocked 59:59. Knocking nearly a minute-and-a-half from his personal best, American Dathan Ritzenheim took the bronze, clocking 1:00:00.
Running at the front from the gun, Keitany clocked a world leading 1:06:36 championships record to win by more than a minute over compatriot Philes Ongori, who produced a 1:07:38 personal best. Aberu Kebede took the bronze in 1:07:39, also a personal best.
Kenyan men took the team crown over Eritrea, with Ethiopia taking bronze. The U.S. squad was a surprise fourth, finishing just eight seconds out of the medals.
Kenyan women also cruised to the team title over Ethiopia, with Russia finishing third. The U.S. squad, led by Amy Yoder Begley's 11th place finish, were fifth.
Look for complete results in Monday's RRW.
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