Kenyan athlete Kibiwott Kandie won the 2023 Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday after clocking a time of 57:40 in a race that took place in Valencia, Spain.
By winning Sunday's race, Kandie defended his title which he won in October 2022 when he clocked a time of 58:11.
Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha finished a close second with a time of 57:41, giving Kandie fierce competition right up to the finish line.
Ethiopian athlete Gebrihiwet Hagos secured third place with a time of 57:41, securing third spot in the highly competitive race.
Kibiwott demonstrated remarkable resilience against formidable Ethiopian competitors, maintaining relentless pressure from the 10km mark before securing his victory.
After failing to make it to Budapest in August this year, Kibiwott then featured in the Riga Half Marathon which was won by Sebastian Sawe, another Kenyan.
However, Kibiwott avenged that loss on Sunday after beating Sawe who finished finished fifth with a time of 58:29.
In Sunday's race, Sawe was tipped as one of the favorites and was expected to give Kibiwott a run for his money.
Sunday's win extends Kandie's dominance in half marathons in which he has maintained consistency for the last few years.
Kenya also shined in the Women's race after Margaret Chelimo won after recording a time of 1:04:46.
It was a clean sweep for Kenyans in the race after Kenyan Cheptai Irine came in second with a time of 1:04:53.
Janet Chepngetich finished third with a time of 1:05:15.
Gebreslase Gotytom of Ethiopia finished fourth after clocking 1:06:12.
