Delhi half marathon: Kenya’s Matata and Lilian win in contrasting fashion

Kenya's Alex Matata put the ghosts of his loss to two-time Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei in last year's Vedanta Delhi half marathon to rest by completing a commanding victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

- Avishek Roy

Gold medallist Kenya's Alex Matata (C), silver medallist Ethiopia's Boyelign Teshager (L) and bronze medallist Kenya's James Kipkogei after the Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.

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Matata picked up pace at the halfway mark and raced so far ahead of the field that there was no rival in sight in the last few kilometres. When he entered the final stretch and took the final bend to the stadium, he twice looked over his shoulder, straining his neck to spot anyone chasing him. There was none.

It was an empty course behind him as he sped to victory in 59 minutes and 50 seconds and had track and field legend Carl Lewis cheering him on at the finish line. Ethiopia's Bayelign Teshager was 32 secs behind at second while James Kipkogei, also from Kenya, came third in 1:00:25s.

Despite Matata’s strong performance, he could not break the course record of 58min, 53secs. While the day turned out to be warmer than expected, humidity remained low for the runners to push themselves on the flat course.