Celliphine Chespol and Jairus Birech Win Crescent City Classic 10K

By Adam Kopet of DyeStat

Celliphine Chespol and Jairus Birech, both of Kenya, won the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10K Saturday in New Orleans, running 31:40 and 27:52, respectively.

RESULTS

Chespol and Birech are best known for their exploits on the track in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Chespol has run 8:58.78 and Birech has a best of  7:58.41.

However, Birech made a shift to the roads this year after struggling on the track in 2018. He finished second at the Milano Half Marathon last month in 1:00:33. In his second road race of the year, he came away the winner and beat compatriot Silas Kipruto by 33 seconds. Kenya’s Dominic Korir finished third another three seconds back in 28:28.

Parker Stinson was the top American, finishing seventh in 29:10. Finishing just ahead of Stinson in sixth with a time of 29:06 was Ireland’s Sean Tobin.

Chespol, running in her 10K debut, faced stiff competition all the way to the finish. She won on a sprint, finishing one second ahead of Brillian Kipkoech, also of Kenya. The defending champion, Monicah Ngige of Kenya, finished third in 32:09.

Jen Rhines was both the top American finisher and the women’s masters race winner with her 35:34 clocking. She finished 10th overall.

Yellow River Estuary International Marathon

Afera Godfay of Ethiopia and Felix Kimutai of Kenya broke the course records at the Yellow River Estuary International Marathon Saturday, an IAAF Gold Label race.

RESULTS

Godfay took two minutes off the course record with her 2:22:41 victory. Waganesh Mekasha of Ethiopia, who ran a personal best 2:22:45 at the Dubai Marathon earlier this year, made her bid to win after the halfway point, but finished second in the end in 2:23:19. Kenya’s Truphena Chepchirchir finished third in a personal best 2:27:52.

Kimutai pulled away for the win in the final six kilometers, knocking four seconds off the course record with his 2:09:23 clocking. Fikadu Kebede of Ethiopia finished runner-up in 2:09:38. Dominic Ruto of Kenya was third in 2:09:43.

Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon

Berehanu Tsegu of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Perine Nengampi won the Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Race, Sunday.

RESULTS

Tsegu, 19, ran 59:56 to win in the second international half marathon of his career. He outkicked Kenya’s Moses Kibet in the final 500 meters. Kibet was second in 59:58. Kenya’s John Lotiang finished third in 1:00:22. Tsegu missed the course record by four seconds

The women’s race featured several women who had previously run under 1:08 in their careers. Nengampi ran 1:08:06 to defeatf Birhan Mhretu of Ethiopia, who finished second in 1:09:33. Fellow Ethiopian Bekelech Gudeta finished third in 1:09:45. Despite finishing 45 seconds off the course record, Nengampi still clocked the second fastest time ever at the event.