Kenya’s newcomer Denis Koech won the Berlin half-marathon on Sunday after holding off world champion and compatriot Wilson Kiprop in a sprint finish as the Kenyans dominated the men’s and women’s races. Koech, who won the Ras al-Khaimah half marathon in the UAE in February, came home in a winning time and personal best of 59:14min to beat Kiprop by just a second with compatriot Ezekiel Chebii third at 59:22.
The women’s race was also decided on the line as Kenya’s Philes Ongori held off compatriot Helah Kiprop to come home in a winning time of 1hr 08:25min with Kiprop finishing a second behind.