<p>Joan Melly won the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon today (7), clocking 1:05:04 in the Czech capital to highlight the 20th running of this <strong>IAAF Gold Label</strong> road race.</p>
<p>On a tear from the outset, Melly passed the opening five kilometres in 14:51, reached 10k in 30:14 and 15 in 45:54, an ambitious pace that came back to haunt the 27-year-old Kenyan in the waning stages. Her performance nonetheless elevated her to the No. 4 position all-time with the fifth fastest run.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The first five kilometres were exceptionally fast with us running it in under 15 minutes, but I didn&rsquo;t look at my watch at all, I just followed the pacemakers," said Melly, who set her previous lifetime best of 1:05:37 at the RAK Half in Ras Al Khaimah in February, where she finished fourth.</p>
<p>"I felt my strength wane a bit towards the end, but it was still enough to break a new personal best and secure a win. I&rsquo;m incredibly happy I managed to do it in Prague and would like to thank everyone who helped me achieve this result."</p>
<p>Her compatriot Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui was second in 1:06:09 followed by Worknesh Degefa from Ethiopia, the runner-up last year and winner in 2015, who clocked 1:08:10.</p>
<p>Further back, Eva Vrabcov&aacute;-N&yacute;vltov&aacute; finished eighth in 1:11:01 to clip one second from the Czech national record set by Alena Peterkova nearly 24 years ago. &ldquo;If you&rsquo;d asked me before the race, I&rsquo;d never have believed I was capable of such a result, it&rsquo;s absolutely amazing,&rdquo; said Vrabcov&aacute;-N&yacute;vltov&aacute; , who was assisted throughout by pacesetter Emmanuel Biwott. Vrabcov&aacute;-N&yacute;vltov&aacute;'s previous lifetime best of 1:11:06 also came on the streets of Prague in the 2016 edition.</p>
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Benard Kimeli triumphs at Prague half marathon</div>
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<p>In the men's race, Benard Kimeli broke from a three-man pack in the final kilometre to claim an emphatic victory in 59:47.</p>
<p>"I won the 10-kilometre Birell Prague Grand Prix last year, and now can add the half marathon to that," said Kimeli, who dipped under the one-hour barrier in just his second race over the distance. He finished eighth in Ras Al Khaimah in February, clocking 1:00:16. He clocked 27:10 in that Prague 10km last year, the fastest performance in the world in 2017.</p>
<p>"Prague really suits me and I race well here. The conditions went in our favour today and I&rsquo;m really pleased that I managed to win."</p>
<p>Geoffrey Yegon was second in 59:56 with Peter Kwemoi third in 59:58 to round out the Kenyan podium sweep. Spots four through nine also were claimed by Kenyan runners.</p>
<p>You can watch the race highlights <a href="https://public.pim.cz/RunCzech/Highlights/PragueHalf_2018.mp4"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>here</strong></span></a>.</p>
<p><strong>Bob Ramsak and organisers for the IAAF</strong></p>
<div><strong>Leading results:</strong></div>
<div><strong> MEN -</strong></div>
<div>1. Benard Kimeli, KEN, 59:47</div>
<div>2. Geoffrey Yegon, KEN, 59:56</div>
<div>3. Peter Kwemoi, KEN, 59:58</div>
<div>4. Abel Kipchumba, KEN, 1:00:05</div>
<div>5. Shadrack Kiplagat, KEN, 1:00:06</div>
<div>6. Abraham Kapsis Kipyatich, KEN, 1:00:08</div>
<div>7. Justus Kangogo, KEN, 1:00:24</div>
<div>8. Joshat Kimutai Tanui, KEN, 1:01:14</div>
<div>9. Edmond Kipngetich, KEN, 1:01:19</div>
<div>10. Eyob Faniel, ITA, 1:02:27</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><strong> WOMEN -</strong></div>
<div>1. Joan Melly, KEN, 1:05:04</div>
<div>2. Caaroline Chepkoech Kipkirui, KEN, 1:06:09</div>
<div>3. Worknesh Degefa, ETH, 1:08:10</div>
<div>4. Risper Chebet, KEN, 1:09:25</div>
<div>5. Antonina Kwambai, KEN, 1:09:48</div>
<div>6. Flomena Chepchirchir, KEN, 1:09:52</div>
<div>7. Gladys Kimaina, KEN, 1:10:40</div>
<div>8. Eva Vrabcov&aacute;-N&yacute;vltov&aacute;, CZE, 1:11:01</div>
<div>9. Sviatlana Kudzelich, BLR, 1:11:45</div>
<div>10. Catherine Bertone, ITA, 1:13:51</div>

Melly sizzles to 1:05:04 victory at Prague half marathon

Melly sizzles to 1:05:04 victory at Prague Half Marathon

Joan Melly won the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon today (7), clocking 1:05:04 in the Czech capital to highlight the 20th running of this IAAF Gold Label road race.