A record number of runners crossed the finish line of the 11th PKO Cracovia Royal Half Marathon!

14,129 competitors crossed the finish line of the 11th PKO Cracovia Royal Half Marathon. This is a new attendance record for the event, which has been held in the capital of Małopolska since 2014. Hillary Kiptum Maiyo Kimaiyo (01:03:13) won the men's competition. The fastest woman was Valentine Jebet Benedek (01:09:47).

The trio of Kimaiyo, Tonui, and Kaczor set their own pace from the very beginning and built up a lead over the rest of the field. Around the 5 km mark, the first of them broke away from the group and maintained his lead over his rivals until the finish line.

Hillary Kiptum Maiyo Kimaiyo won, crossing the finish line in 01:03:13. The remaining places on the podium were taken by Albert Kipkorir Tonui (01:03:58) and Mateusz Kaczor (01:04:59).

The women's competition proved to be more exciting. Valentine Jebet Benedek and Valeriia Zinenko took turns leading throughout the run. Everything was decided in the last kilometer, when the Kenyan maintained her pace, gaining a 10-second lead. Valentine Jebet Benedek crossed the finish line in 01:09:47, setting a new course record for the Cracovia Royal Half Marathon among women. The previous best result was achieved in 2019 by her compatriot Betty Lembus (1:10:48).

Valeriia Zinenko crossed the finish line in 01:09:57, and Julia Koralewska was third in the women's competition with a time of 01:12:33.

Representatives from 70 countries took part in the race. A total of 9,635 men and 4,492 women competed, with attendance at the event growing year on year.

Results of the 11th PKO Cracovia Royal Half Marathon

Men's general classification

1. Hillary Kiptum Maiyo Kimaiyo – 01:03:13

2. Albert Kipkorir Tonui – 01:03:58

3. Mateusz Kaczor – 01:04:59

Women's general classification

1. Valentine Jebet Benedek – 01:09:47

2. Valeriia Zinenko – 01:09:57

3. Julia Koralewska – 01:12:33

Detailed results of the 11th PKO Cracovia Royal Half Marathon can be found on the Data Sport website.

Photo: Tomasz Śmietana