NAIROBI, Kenya, February 1, 2025 – Kenya’s Alex Matata has set his sights on setting a new personal best (PB) in the half marathon after cruising to victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday morning.
The Bucharest Half Marathon champion set a PB of 59:20 on his way to victory but is determined to lower it in subsequent races.
Ethiopian Gemechu Dida (59:25) and another Kenyan, Isaiah Lasoi (59:26) finished second and third respectively.
“I am very happy to set new PB today because that is what I wanted to do when I came into the race. I cannot stop at this now…judging by the amount of work I am putting in training, I am confident of lowering it further, next time,” Matata said.
The 22-year-old added that he came to the start line determined to win the race.
“I prepared very well…from December. I knew that I would do well at today’s race because my body was so light and I have been running fast times. However, it was very tough at first but got better after 15km where I now believed that indeed I could win it,” he said.
The win comes just over a month after he timed 1:00:17 to win the Al Sharqiyah International Half Marathon in Saudi Arabia on December 14.
Matata was also victorious at the Padova Half Marathon in Italy (59:37), Bucharest Half Marathon (1:01:04), and Antrim Coast Half Marathon (59:46), in 2024.
Women’s race
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Judy Kemboi and Jesca Chelangat finished second and third respectively.
Ethiopian Ejgayehu Taye crossed the finish line first in 1:05:52 as Kemboi (1:06:34) and Chelangat (1:06:53), took the next two podium places.