Yismaw Dillu smashed the men’s Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon course record as Miriam Chebet defended her crown in the Welsh capital.
The Ethiopian Dillu marked his half marathon debut in style as he shaved more than seven seconds off the previous record set by Leonard Langat back in 2019 to finish in a time of 59:22. The 20-year-old broke clear of Kenya’s Ismael Kiprono and compatriot Fikadu Liche after the 10K mark in Cardiff Bay, and never looked back to take the title. Kiprono (01:00:04) and Liche (1:00:33) stayed strong to finish second and third respectively.
“It was my first time running the half marathon so I am very very happy to win the race and set a new record,” said Dillu. “It was very windy but I felt strong and I am so pleased to win.”
After battling the rain to win in 2024, Chebet this time conquered blustery conditions to retain her Oysho Cardiff Half title. The Kenyan, who added the Istanbul Half Marathon gold medal to her collection earlier this year, was five seconds quicker than she was 12 months ago as she took the tape in 1:06:36. In a similar tale to the men’s race, Chebet surged away from her rivals after the Cardiff Bay Barrage and maintained the gap to finish 56 seconds clear of Ethiopia’s Alem Nigus (1:07:33) and Wudinesh Alimu (1:08:08).
Former half marathon world record holder Florence Kiplagat ended a two-year elite racing sabbatical in Cardiff and finished 10th in a time of 1:14:28.
“I was ready for this race, especially after I won last year, I wanted to win again,” said Chebet. “After 8K I felt the strain and the wind was really strong at that point, but I did my best and I am so happy to come back and win for the second time.
“There was lots of support on the roads and the crowds really helped me push through to the end.”
The wheelchair races led the 29,000 entrants out in the shadow of Cardiff Castle, and Callum Hall – who is coached by Tanni Grey-Thompson’s husband Ian – was the first to cross the finish line as he repeated his 2024 victory. Hall was more than a minute faster this time around as he dominated over 13.1 miles to win in 53:46. Sam Kolek (57:28) was second and Josh Hickingbottom (59:07) third.
Nash said: “It was great – it’s such a good race and such a good atmosphere. I live 20 minutes away so there was brilliant support for me out on the course. It was really good but really hard too with the headwind in the Bay.
“It’s very rare that you can come to a race so close to home and race the world’s best on a fantastic course.”
Jake Smith of Pontypridd Roadents was the fastest Brit and 10th overall, crossing the line in 1:02:49, ahead of clubmate Dan Nash, who claimed the Welsh Half Marathon title in 1:04:28. Charlotte Taylor of Bristol and West AC was the first British female (1:12:30), and Natasha Wilson, nee Cockram, was the female Welsh Half Marathon champion again after finishing a place back in eighth in a time of 1:12:58.
Wilson said: “I really didn’t want to miss Cardiff this year, I’ve had Covid recently so I just wanted to get to the start line as I haven’t trained. This was my first hard workout, but the support on the course was incredible, especially the start and finish so I’m so glad I made it.”
Women
Miriam Chebet – 1:06:36
Alem Nigus – 1:07:32
Wudinesh Alemu – 1:08:07
Esther Chemtai – 1:08:08
Misgane Alemayehu – 1:09:35
Men
Yismaw Dillu – 59:22
Ismael Kiprono – 1:00:04
Fikadu Liche – 1:00:33
Benard Murkomen – 1:00:47
Stephen Kimutai – 1:01:31
Wheelchair
Callum Hall – 53:46
Sam Kolek – 57:28
Josh Hickinbottom – 59:07
Tiaan Bosch – 1:01:27
Owain Terrell – 1:07:12
