With her winning time of 1:08:06 in Marugame, Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa not only set a new personal best, but also improved her own Bahrain national record of 1:08:31 set in 2014 (Luanda). Finishing 2-3 behind Kirwa were Diane Nukuri of Burundhi (1:09:23) and Eloise Wellings of Australia (1:09:23), respectively. Kirwa’s 1:08:06 currently puts her in 11th place on the 2016 world half marathon chart.
The world’s top half marathon and 25 km performer in both 2014 and 2015, Abraham Cheroben, also started off his 2016 road season in promising fashion at the Ras Al Kaimah Half Marathon (United Arab Emirates) on 12. February. In an extremely close finish for such a distance, Cheroben’s 4th place performance was only a single second out of first, as Birhanu Legese won in 1:00:40, followed by Stanley Biwott (1:00:40), Nguse Amiosom (1:00:41), and Cheroben (1:00:41). Those four athletes currently occupy places 3rd through 6th on the 2016 world half marathon chart. Leonard Patrick Komon also competed in Ras Al Kaimah, clocking 1:02:12 for 10th place.
Four other Personae-managed athletes made noteworthy road performances in early 2016, all at the Standard Chartered Marathon Mumbai, held 17. January: Marius Kimutai – 3rd in 2:09:39 (’16 world no. 14); Jacob Cheshari – 5th in 2:11:59; Bornes Kitur – 2nd in 2:32:00 (Personal Best); and Rebecca Korir Jepchirchir – 4th in 2:34:31.