Patrick Mosin and Miriam Chebet completed a Kenyan clean-sweep at the 2024 Principality Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 24-year-old Mosin surged away from 2023 champion Vincent Mutai to take his title before his compatriot Chebet smashed her personal best to claim first place at the biggest Cardiff Half yet.
It was a family affair in the wheelchair race as husband and wife Callum and Jade Hall battled it out across the streets of Cardiff. It was Callum, of County Durham, who eventually came out on top in 55:05, but Jade claimed the Women’s title in 57:57.
Mosin and his cohort of Kenyan stars set a strong early pace at the head of the 27,500 runners who had signed up to take part, as they powered through the 10K mark in 28:18. But 5K later in the Cathays area of the city, Mosin had kicked on to create a 20 second cushion ahead of a chasing group including Mutai, Cosmas Boi and Marvin Kiptoo.
Mutai slashed the lead in half as they raced around Roath Park and headed into the home straight, but Mosin had done enough to claim a maiden Cardiff Half title in 1:00.01 after finishing third in Prague earlier this year. Mutai followed 12 seconds later, and Boi claimed third (1:00.17).
“It was tough out there but I tried my best and I’m so so happy to win the race,” said Mosin. “I feel so happy, the fans were amazing motivation and I love racing here. I am happy with how I ran as this is my first time here; I wasn’t too far off my PB in these conditions.”
In the women’s race, Istanbul Half Marathon silver medallist Chebet timed her charge perfectly to set a new personal best en-route to victory. Trailing 2022 10K African champion Caroline Nyaga and Kenyan Half Marathon debutant Grace Nawowuna at the 10K stage, Chebet closed the nine-second gap and powered past her rivals to lead by 25 seconds with two kilometres to go. Chebet held firm to take the Cardiff Half crown in 1:06.42, slashing 34 seconds off her PB, ahead of Nawowuna (1:07.15) and Nyaga (1:07.16).
“I feel good, it was a fantastic race, I tried to push as hard as I could and I’m happy to get the PB and to win the race,” said Chebet after taking the tape. “I had great competition pushing me and the support really kept me going around a good course.”
New Wheelchair race champion Callum Hall dominated across the 13.1-mile course, and he was delighted to take the bragging rights home.
He said: “I had a feeling my wife Jade was going to win the race, so I had to step up and win otherwise I never would’ve lived that down. She would have had the medal hanging up in the garage and I thought, we can’t have that!”
The first Brit across the line was Derby’s Ben Connor, who has recently returned from an 18-month injury layoff to finish 11th in 1:02.58.
He said: “I’ve been out with a stress fracture and some other issues since the London Marathon in 2022. It’s taken 18 months to recover and get back on the start line and it’s nice to be back. I’ve never done this race before and the support was amazing. The Welsh won’t stay home for a bit of rain”
Dan Nash claimed the men’s Welsh Half Marathon title as he finished 14th in 1:05.12, and Paris Olympian Clara Evans took the women’s event in 1:15.41.
Evans said: “It was lovely to enjoy the Cardiff Half for once and take it all in. The year has been pretty incredible, I’ve got personal bests over every distance, I won a gold at European Championships and I went to the Olympic Games. Nothing beats the Cardiff support, people know who I am so it was fantastic.”
Nash said: “My two-year-old and my mum were out on the course supporting me and my wife which was special. It was another PB after pacing the Berlin Marathon which I’m happy with, the atmosphere was great.”
Men’s Race Results
1. Patrick Mosin (KEN) – 01:00:01
2. Vincent Mutai (KEN) – 01:00:12
3. Cosmas Boi (KEN) – 01:00:17
4. Timothy Kosgei (KEN) – 01:00:27
5. Bravin Kiptoo (KEN) – 01:00:38
Women’s Race Results
1. Miriam Chebet (KEN) – 01:06:42
2. Grace Nawowuna (KEN) – 01:07:15
3. Caroline Nyaga (KEN) – 01:07:16
4. Adane Anmaw (ETH) – 01:07:46
5. Anchinalu Dessie (ETH) – 01:09:12
Men’s Wheelchair Race
1. Callum Hall (GBR) – 00:55:05
2. Josh Hickinbottom (Coventry Godiva Harriers) – 01:02:00
3. Tiaan Bosch (Leeds City/SA) – 01:02:07
Women’s Wheelchair Race
1. Jade Hall (GBR) – 00:57:57
2. Mel Nicholls (Coventry Godiva Harriers) – 1:08:04