Tonya Nero finished 27th at the prestigious IAAF Half Marathon Championships in Kavarna, Bulgaria, yesterday. Nero's run was impressive as she clocked a new national record for 13.1 mile race, crossing the line in 1:15.13, to improve the previous mark of 1:15:42 which she established in Kansas, USA, last year. The 23-year-old was aiming for 1:13.00 clocking. Her placing is the best by a local athlete in the global event, improving on Shermin Lasaldo's 53rd finish at the 2007 edition in Udine, Italy.
Taking the gold was Ethiopian Meseret Hailu (1:08.55), who won narrowly ahead of compatriot Feyse Tadese (1:08.56). The Ethiopians upset their Kenyan counterparts, who were going for their third straight win in the event. Early race leader Paskalia Kipkoech of Kenya had to settle for third (1:09.04). Nero was at 34th at the 5km (17.14) just over a minute down on the leader, Kipkoech (16.13). The multiple national record holder improved to 31st at the 10km point (34.45) with Kipkoech still ahead (32.21) and by one to 30th after 15 km (53.49). Kipkoech was still in front.
At the 20km marker Nero moved further up to 27th (1:11.23) and maintained the position to the finish line. Tadese took over the lead then from Kipkoech and Hailu. The Ethiopian duo charged ahead to take the top two spots. Hailu collected US$30,000 for her triumph while Tadese went home with $15,000. Ethiopia also took the team title ahead of Kenya and Japan.
In the men's race, Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese won his fifth individual title in 1:00.19 with Ethiopian Deressa Chimsa (1:00.51) and John Mwangangi (1:01.01). Kenya won its sixth straight team crown over Eritrea and Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Richard Jones is among several local runners who will contest Chicago Marathon in Illinois, USA, later today. Jones will be aiming to improve on his 43rd placing in last year's race in a personal best time of 2:27.16. The local distance running ace will be joined by Celine Lestrade, Dexter Simon, Jenna Gomes and John Lum Young.