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World champion Sabastian Sawe and record holder Jacob Kiplimo face off in a thrilling half marathon world record attempt.
World Half Marathon champion Sabastian Sawe is preparing to face the challenge of a lifetime as he lines up against world record holder Jacob Kiplimo in a much-anticipated showdown at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday, September 15.
With an exceptional line-up including last year’s unexpected winner Edward Cheserek the stage is set for what many are calling the most thrilling edition of the race yet.
At the heart of the excitement is the battle between the reigning world champion, Sawe, and Kiplimo, the 23-year-old Ugandan sensation who set the current world record of 57:31 minutes in Lisbon back in 2021.
Since that blistering performance, Kiplimo has dominated every half marathon he has entered, claiming victories in Ras Al Khaimah, Newcastle, and New York.
In March this year, he added another feather to his cap by successfully defending his World Cross Country title in Belgrade.
Kiplimo’s extraordinary combination of speed and endurance has made him the man to beat, and all eyes will be on the ticking clock as he makes his debut in Copenhagen.
Given his recent form, a world record attempt appears to be within reach, especially on the fast, flat Danish course known for producing personal bests and record-breaking times.
However, Sawe is not one to be underestimated. The 29-year-old Kenyan, who has not competed on the track in over two years, has built an impressive resume on the road, winning six of the eight half marathons he has contested.
His latest victory came in Prague in April, where he set a world-leading mark of 58:24 at the time, reaffirming his position as one of the top contenders in the distance.
The duel between Kiplimo and Sawe promises to be electrifying, as both athletes have their sights set on pushing the limits of human performance.
The Copenhagen Half Marathon, which sold out all 27,000 race bibs in just 39 days earlier this year, provides the perfect stage for this high-stakes contest.
For Kiplimo, it’ is an opportunity to cement his status as the greatest half marathoner of his generation. For Sawe, it is a chance to make history by dethroning the current world record holder.
Adding to the excitement is the return of last year’s surprise winner, Edward Cheserek.
The Kenyan-born American stunned the field in 2023 with his unexpected triumph, but his performance in subsequent races has been mixed.
After an eighth-place finish at his marathon debut in New York just two months after his Copenhagen victory, Cheserek has been largely absent from major competitions.
His form going into this year’s race remains a mystery, but his presence adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already star-studded line-up.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Margaret Kipkemboi is emerging as the favorite.
Kipkemboi, who claimed silver at last year’s World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, has been in terrific shape recently, finishing fifth and fourth in the 5000m and 10000m at the Tokyo Olympics.
From a European perspective, Norwegian Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal is also one to watch.
Despite turning 34 this summer, Grøvdal appears to be in the best shape of her career.
In June, she secured the European Half Marathon title in Rome with a commanding victory, winning by almost a minute.
Last year, she finished sixth in Copenhagen with a personal best of 1:07:34, and she will be eager to challenge the East African dominance once again.
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