Sawe sets focus on Prague Half Marathon after WXC disappointment

After what is considered a poor show at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Sebastian Sawe will hope to do better when he takes part in the Prague Half Marathon on Saturday, April 6.

He has some days to work harder and be ready for the half-marathon action after finishing seventh in Belgrade on Saturday, March 30, 2024.

At the World Cross Country, Sawe was one of the favourites, but he faltered as Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda made history by defending the title. However, his seventh place helped Kenya win team gold. 

Although, individually, it was not a good performance, Sawe has a chance to right the wrongs in Prague.

He is the fastest entrant for the Prague action as he enjoys a 58:29 personal best that he achieved at the 2022 Bahrain Royal Night Half Marathon. He will have Geoffrey Kiprotich challenge him as a teammate.

Kiprotich is a sub-one-hour runner on the field with a 59:13 personal best, and Gideon Kiprotich, who holds a 1:00:28 personal best, will also be in action.

Uganda, Kenya's emerging arch-rivals, will be led by Maxwell Rotich, who enjoys a 1:00:06 personal best from last year's Praha Half Marathon.

Although the Ugandan unit is seen as Kenya's main challenger, Ethiopia's Haftamu Abadi Gebresilase (1:00:27) is considered a strong rival too.

In the women's race, Jesca Chelangat and Vivian Melly will carry the flag. Nigistu Haftu of Ethiopia, who holds a personal best of 1:06:17, just 17 seconds shy of Irene Kimais' winning time from last year, will offer Kenyans the needed challenge.

Entrants

Men's elite field

Sabastian Kimaru Sawe PB 58:29

Geofry Toroitich PB 59:13

Maxwell Rotich PB 1:00:06

Haftamu Abadi Gebresilase PB 1:00:27

Gideon Kiprotich PB 1:00:28

Ahmed El Jaddar PB 1:00:40

Yakoub Labquira PB 1:00:47

Women's elite field

Nigsti Haftu PB 1:06:17

Gete Alemayehu PB 1:06:37

Jesca Chelangat PB 1:07:03

Anchinalu Dessie PB 1:07:30

Vivian Melly PB 1:07:35

Sultan Haydar PB 1:09:12

Tereza Hrochova PB 1:12:04

Meraf Bahta debut