Well begun, half won

With conducive weather and the two pacemakers from Kenya - a novelty introduced for the first time...

With conducive weather and the two pacemakers from Kenya 8212; a novelty introduced for the first time8212; in place, the runners were at home with the top-three finishing in record-breaking time in the fourth edition of the Delhi Half Marathon here on Sunday.

Defending champion Dieudonne Disi of Rwanda felt the heat on a chilly morning and had to ultimately give up his title to Ethiopian Deriba Merga, who clocked 59.15 for the crown and a new record. Thanks to the pacemakers, the Kenyan duo of Wilson Kipsang and Wilson Chebet too broke the 60-minute barrier to come second and third at 59.16 and 59.34, respectively. In the process, Deriba eclipsed the previous best timing of 60.43 minutes by Disi and bagged 25,000 prize money. The Kenyans got 15,000 and 10,000.

In the women8217;s section, Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia emerged as the winner, registering a personal best of 68: 17 minutes to take home a prize money of 25,000, while compatriot Genet Getenet 68:18 finished second and Kenyan Peninah Arusei 68:20 finished third.

Indian challenge

As for the Indians, Sandeep Kumar clocked 64:53, eclipsing last year8217;s winner Ram Singh Yadav8217;s timing of 66:09 minutes to win 4,000. Kashinath and Deep Chand clocked 64:58 and 65 minutes respectively.

In the women8217;s section, defending champion Kavita Raut produced a staggering performance 8212; coming off after an injury 8212; to retain her title, registering a personal best of 77:12 minutes. Preethi L Rao 77: 20 and Sudha Singh 77:39 finished second and third to pocket 3,000 and 2,000 respectively.

Kavita was happy to have come up with her personal best despite not being sure of winning. But Surender Singh, the 10,000m national record-holder, rued his lack of preparation even as Deep Chand, who finished third, admitted that he was not able to sprint with 500 metres to go for the finish line.

8220;I give credit to both Ram Singh and Kashinath for they could sprint down the distance because they are 5,000m and 10,00m runners, unlike a marathoner like me. That gave them the advantage.8221;

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Deriba said he was happy and not at all surprised. 8220;I had prepared well so I am not surprised with the result,8221; said Deriba, who bettered his personal best of 59: 16 at the IAAF Road Race Championships in Udine, Italy, in 2007.

Incidentally, his timing was also the fastest for the year so far. Deriba, who finished fourth in the Beijing Olympics, said he had been preparing for the event for the past six months.

His female counterpart Aselefech said she had to battle pain in her right leg to win the title.

8220;It is good to win the title. But I had a pain in my right leg and I had to adapt myself and keep my cool,8221; she said. 8220;I had heard about the course from fellow Ethiopian runners and I am happy I came here and recorded my personal best,8221; she added.