Prague Half Marathon - Mile by Mile Recap

By Parker West for DyeStat

If you live in the United States, there is a great chance you were sleeping while Joyciline Jepkosgei shattered the women’s world record at the Prague Half Marathon. Here is a mile-by-mile recap of Saturday's race in the Czech Republic.

Mile One - As most half-marathons go, a very large pack formed early in the men’s race, led by multiple rabbits. The women’s race followed suit, though the pack was not nearly as large as the men’s.

Mile Two - While the pack thinned out very slightly in the men’s race, was still very early and roughly 15-20 men stayed close together, including rabbits. The women had thinned down to less than 10 runners, led by male rabbits to help them stay on a fast pace.

Mile Three - The men’s lead pack was cut down to about 10 runners, including Galen Rupp of the U.S. and Olympic 10,000 meter bronze medalist Tamirat Tola. The women did not have a pack race like the men, as only two women, Joyciline Jepkosgei and Violah Jepchumba, remained with the male rabbits.

Mile Four - Between miles three and four, Rupp started to lose contact with the front of the lead pack. It was unclear if he was starting to feel fatigued or if he believed the pace was too fast and began to conserve his energy. Jepkosgei and Jepchumba continued to lead the women’s race, and while Jordan Hasay was not with the leaders, who were running around 63 minute pace, she was on great pace to run something special.

Mile Five - The men still had a lead pack of 10 men, still led by rabbits and runners such as Barselius Kipyego and Tola. The women’s race shaped up to be a two woman race, as it was still Jepkosgei and Jepchumba competing against each other.

Mile Six - Once the men hit 10k in 28:32, Tola took a commanding lead and gapped the field. Rupp, at this point, was still trailing. The women went through 10k well under world record pace at 30:05, which is much better than the road race world record.

Mile Seven - Tola had put on a significant gap at this time, putting a seven second gap on a chase pack of six men, including rabbits. The women’s race continued to be a two-woman show.

Mile Eight - The women continued to light up the course, continuing on their world record pace.

Mile Nine - Tola quickly took command of the men's race. The chase pack, well behind, settled with racing each other and did not worry about bringing the Olympic medalist back to them. In the women’s race, Jepkosgei threw in her move and began to slowly pull away from Jepchumba.

Mile Ten - While Tola was way ahead, the chase pack continued to run their race against each other. All eyes, however, were locked on the women’s race, as Jepkosgei passed through 15 kilometers in 45:38, which was still well under world record pace as it also broke the 15k world record, which was 46:14.

Mile Eleven - At this point, it was clear that Tola was going to be the men’s champion. While Jepkosgei’s form naturally looks like she is always working hard, she really appeared to be hurting, and began to look back to see where Jepchumba was.

Mile Twelve - A chase pack of five men were duking it out for second place, with a small breakaway of two men, Josphat Kimutai anui and Geoffery Yegon. Jepkosgei continued on her world record pace, well ahead of Jepchumba.

Finish - Tola claimed the victory in a time of 59:37, a new personal best for him. He was followed by Josphat Kimutai Tanui in 1:00:38 and Geoffery in 1:00:41. Rupp finished 11th in 1:01:59. It was the fourth year in a row where the winner ran under one hour. All eyes then turned to the women, waiting to see if a new world record would be broken, and it was. Jepkosgei crossed the line in 1:04:52, shattering the previous world record of 1:05:06. Jepchumba crossed the finish line second in 1:05:22, 29 seconds faster than her winning time from the previous year. Jordan Hasay crossed in 1:07:55, moving her up from No. 8 to No. 3 on the U.S. all-time list.