12 October 2008

Despite falling foul of the inevitable African onslaught, Norwich Union GB & NI representatives Wendy Nicholls (Cirencester AC) and Michelle Ross-Cope (City of Stoke) performed well at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships to finish in the top fifty.

Nicholls was first Brit home in Rio crossing the line in a respectable 40th place and clocking 1:18:52. Ross-Cope (City of Stoke) followed in 47th with 1:20:43.

Lornah Kiplagat (NED) ran another outstanding race to successfully defend her World Half Marathon Champion status.

The African born 34-year-old world Half Marathon record holder clocked a high quality 1:08.37 finish, ahead of Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia and Kiplagat’s rival from last year, Pamela Chepchumba (KEN) who again finished in third place.

Kiplagat, who had led from the seventh kilometre, took time in her final 500m to wave to the multitudes of cheering fans as she eased her way across the finish line.

For full results from the World Half Marathon championships follow this link