Star-studded Prague half-marathon announces world record attempt

In the age of COVID-19, road racing seems to becoming an elite-only event. This has its pros and cons. It’s really unfortunate for recreational or sub-elite runners who love to race, but this shift is also bringing the running community some of the most exciting start lines ever. World record-breaking start lines, actually. The Prague half-marathon has curated an entry list of this calibre, with the women targeting the women’s-only world record of 1:06:11, currently held by Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia who ran the time in 2018 and will be racing this weekend.

#PragueRestart with @RunCzech & @adidasrunning & many others who made impossible to be possible. #Prague #running #sports #HalfMarathon #TeamAdidas #HereToCreate /// More info: https://t.co/N9kPku3UKx pic.twitter.com/BnZWoOQ8R4

— Davor Šavija (@dsfisc) September 1, 2020

RELATED: Joshua Cheptegei posts biggest flex in Strava history with 5,000m world record

Over the course of only 49 years, the women’s half-marathon world record has fallen by an astounding 23 minutes (by comparison, the men’s record has fallen by just over five minutes). On Saturday at 8 a.m. local time, a group of the world’s best runners will try to lower it again. All runners will be outfitted in the newest Adidas shoe, the adizero Adios Pro, the company’s fastest racing flat yet. Runners will run 16.5 laps of a 1,200m loop in Prague, which will be tiresome for the runners, but very spectator-friendly. If you’re not in Prague on Saturday morning, you can catch the race live on the RunCzech YouTube channel. 

RELATED: Adidas releases adizero adios Pro, its fastest marathon shoe yet

The women’s start list – 8:00 a.m. local time

Joan Chelimo, Kenya – 1:05:04 PB
Netsanet Gudeta, Ethiopia – 1:05:45 PB
Vibian Chepkirui, Kenya – 1:09:28 PB
Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya – 1:05:06 PB
Sheila Chepkirui, Kenya – debut
Sendere Terferi Sore, Ethiopia – 1:05:32 PB
Edith Chelimo, Kenya – 1:05:52 PB
Dorcas Jepchirchir, Kenya – 1:06:33 PB 
Dorcas Jepchumba, Kenya – 1:07:10 PB

The men’s start list – 6:20 a.m. local time

Stephen Kiprop, Kenya – 58:42 PB
Kibiwott Kandie, Kenya – 58:58 PB
Benard Kimeli, Kenya – 59:07 PB
Andamlak Belihu Berta, Ethiopia – 59:10 PB
Philemon Kiplimo, Kenya – 59:28 PB
Abel Kpichumba, Kenya – 59:29 PB
Amos Kurgat, Kenya – 59:37 PB
Lucas Rotich, Kenya – 59:44 PB
Alfred Chelal, Kenya – 59:46 PB
Henry Rono, Kenya – 1:00:04 PB