Kenyans Erick Leon Ndiema and Hilda Jelagat Kiptum were the best in the 9th Cracovia Royal Half Marathon
Erick Leon Ndiema (1:02:14.3) and Hilda Jelagat Kiptum (1:12:51.6) triumphed in the 9th edition of the Cracovia Royal Half Marathon, which took place on October 8. The best Pole, Mateusz Kaczor, finished in 4th place (1:04:14.9), while the fastest Pole, Monika Jackiewicz, reached the finish line in the TAURON Arena Kraków as the second female athlete (1:13:18.6).
The fight for the win among the men lasted until the last metres. The first to finish in TAURON Arena Krakow were two Kenyans - Erick Leon Ndiema and Kennedy Kimutai Kaptila. In the glare of the lights, cheered on by the fans, after a fierce battle by 0.2 seconds, Ndiema won (1:02:14.3), thus claiming victory in the Cracovia Royal Half Marathon for the second year in a row. Kaptila reached the finish line with the result (1:02:14.5). The winner's time allowed him to collect a cheque for PLN 12,000, which - according to the regulations - was 2,000 more than the basic prize for 1st place. The podium was completed by the third Kenyan - Benard Kipkorir Koros (1:03:02.9).
Finishing fourth was the first Pole, Mateusz Kaczor, who was just off the podium for the second year in a row (1:04:14).
The winner among women - Hilda Jelagat Kiptum (1:12:51.6), for whom it was her debut in the Cracovia Royal Half Marathon, beat the fastest Pole - Monika Jackiewicz (1:13:18.6) - by 27 seconds. For the MKL Szczecin athlete, it was another podium finish in the Royal Running Triad (she took 1st place in the 7th Cracovia Royal Half Marathon, 3rd place in the 8th Cracovia Royal Half Marathon and 3rd place in the 14th Three Mounds' Run). Third was Kenyan Glorius Jepkirui (1:13:45.8).
Just behind the podium was a regular attendee of the Royal Running Triad events, winner of the 14th Three Mounds' Run, triumpher of the 17th and 19th Cracovia Marathon, Lilia Fiskovicz (1:14:36). In 7th place finished multiple Polish Championships medallist, Katarzyna Jankowska of the Asics team (1:19:52).
As part of the 9th Cracovia Royal Half Marathon, the Polish Championships of Physiotherapists, Teachers and Foresters in the Half Marathon were also held.
The complete results of the 9th Cracovia Royal Half Marathon can be found HERE.
7634 people from almost 50 countries took part in the run, and 7589 of them checked in at the finish line in TAURON Arena Kraków. For 808 of them it also meant that they gain the Royal Running Triad 2023 for completing the 120th Cracovia Marathon, the PGE Energia Ciepła 16th Three Mounds’ Run and the 9th Cracovia Royal Half Marathon.
We invite you to see an extensive photo gallery by Szymon Gruchalski: HERE.
Photo: Szymon Gruchalski, Mateusz Chwajoł/ZIS, Grawit Nosiadek/ZIS (drone)