Sabastian Sawe won Sunday’s anticipated Copenhagen Half Marathon beating the Ugandan world record holder Jacob Kiplimo with four seconds in a thrilling finish. Sawe’s world leading time of 58:05 was only four seconds short of Kamworor’s race record from 2019.

“I really didn’t know I was so close, but I am just so happy with this victory,” Sawe said afterwards.

During the first 10K, the two favorites were accompanied by Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The Olympic 5000M Champion passed the mark in a Norwegian record of 27:27 but then stopped. He paused a while before continuing, eventually finishing in a modest 1:03,13.

“Half marathon is just no joke. Today was all about testing myself. I have never done anything like this, but I am sure I will return to Copenhagen in some few years,” Ingebrigtsen said afterwards.

Isaia Lasoi of Kenya was the big surprise being the only one who could follow Sawe and Kiplimo all the way. His third spot time of 58:09 was, of course, a new personal best.

Among the pacemakers was Berihu Aregawi, who the day before had won the Diamond League 5000M Trophy in Brussels. Despite the world class pace, the first 5K turned out to be too slow in terms of a new world record in 13:53, most likely due to a slight headwind. The next five then went in an impressive 13:35 before the next split times dropped again.

Three Kenyan women in front
In the women’s race, Margaret Kipkemboi of Kenya won in 1:05,11 – well ahead of her compatriot Judy Kemboi, who cut two seconds off her PB with 1:05,45. The two women led the race through the first 15K passing the mark in 46:14, but during the next five kilometers, Kemboi then lost 30 seconds.

With the 22-year-old Cathrine Reline Amanang’ole coming in third in 1:06,09, Kenya swept all three podium spots.

Despite the fact that no race records were set today, the organizers saw a record-breaking field of more than 29.000 runners participating in the race, which is among the six “Super Halfs”. The next in that line will be Cardiff in three weeks.