Press Release

Peres Jepchirchir runs world 10k lead to win women’s title at Birell Prague Grand Prix; Daniel Chebii confirms Kenyan domination with victory in men’s race

06 Sep, 2015 (Sun)
2015 winner Daniel Chebii
Credit : Birell Prague Grand Prix

Peres Jepchirchir gave ample proof of her status as a rising star among the distance events by running 30:55, the fastest time in the world for the women’s 10k, to take top honours and break the course record at the Birell Prague Grand Prix. Her solo run from the gun secured the 21-year-old her most impressive career win on the road. Her fellow Kenyan Linah Cheruto finished second in 32:08 while Ethiopia’s Kidsan Alema was third in 32:10. Daniel Chebii was also impressive in winning the men’s crown for the second time in three years, running 27:42, the third fastest performance in the world this year, to beat fellow Kenyan Gilbert Masai by three seconds with Barselius Kipyego a further second behind. The Birell Prague Grand Prix is one of the seven events in the RunCzech Running League and IAAF Gold Label race, the top category of road race.

The 20th edition of this spectacular evening race in the heart of the Czech capital was given a distinguished send-off when the former world record holder in the decathlon, Roman Sebrle, fired the starting gun in Republic Square. Peres Jepchirchir didn’t waste time, deciding to attack from the start and within three minutes was clear in front and running strongly. She had run 31:18 for 10k in Ottawa on May 23 which had followed an impressive second place at the Kenyan National Cross Country Championships last year, so her pedigree was not in doubt.

“When the gun went off I felt confident after my run in Canada and decided to attack my personal best.”
She proved relentless in windy conditions, pressing home her advantage on a mostly flat course which proved an ideal stage for her aggressive running. Her closest pursuers proved to be fellow Kenyan Linah Cheruto and Ethiopia’s Kidsan Alema. Cheruto, another young talent, had shown excellent form to finish second in a personal best of 70:22 at the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon in May, another of the RunCzech events. But she trailed in home 13 seconds behind as Peres Jepchirchir celebrated going to the top of the world charts for the women’s 10k, displacing Gladys Cherono of Kenya’s time from the Ottawa event by just one second. For good measure, Jepchirchir improved the course record by ten seconds.

2015 winner Peres Jepchirchi
Credit : Birell Prague Grand Prix

Peres Jepchirchir has set her sights on qualifying for the Kenyan Olympic team at 10,000m in Rio de Janeiro next year, though she has a short term goal of achieving another win in the final event of the RunCzech Running League at the Mattoni Usti Nad Labem Half Marathon next Saturday, September 12.
Daniel Chebii had struggled with injury for much of last year. The 2013 winner of this event is also mourning his manager Zane Branson, whose recent sudden death in Kenya has been deeply felt by many in the world of distance running. The Kenyan admitted that training had since been difficult but summoned his resolve to produce one of his finest races.

Always well placed just behind the front rank of a men’s leading group which had been reduced to eight after halfway, Chebii looked consistently stronger than the defending champion and fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Ronoh, who showed dominant form to break the course with 27:28 last year.

After a brief exchange of the lead with Gilbert Masai and Barselius Kipyego, Daniel Chebii made the decisive break with one kilometre remaining. He crossed the line in 27:42, the third fastest time in the world this year. The overall quality of the men’s race was high as Masai edged Kipyego for second place and a total of seven men breaking 28 minutes.

Reflecting on his two wins in this event, Daniel Chebii was in no doubt which he valued most:
“The competition this year was much tougher than two years ago. This was a victory I appreciated much more.”

It will be daunting for his rivals to hear that Chebii reckons he is only 70% fit at present, continuing to recover from the injuries which hindered his progress last year. But his path to fulfilling his potential in the marathon, his ultimate goal, looks bright.

Men’s Results:

Daniel Chebii Kenya 27:42
Gilbert Masai Kenya 27:45pb
Barselius Kipyego Kenya 27:46pb
Japhet Korir Kenya 27:48
Teshome Mekonen Ethiopia 27:50pb
Bernard Bett Kenya 27:52pb
Evans Kigen Kenya 27:56
Geoffrey Ronoh Kenya 28:09

Women’s Results:

Peres Jepchirchir Kenya 30:55pb
Linah Cheruto Kenya 32:08pb
Kidsan Alema Ethiopia 32:10 debut
Shitaye Eshete Bahrain 32:11
Viola Jelagat Kenya 32:37
Caroline Kilel Kenya 32:53
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