LARNE, Northern Ireland (27 August) — Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko tops defending champion Jemal Yimer to clinch the victory in the 2023 Antrim Coast Half Marathon men’s Elite race – a World Athletics Label Road Race event on Sunday. Mateiko clocked an impressive 58:36, establishing a new UK All-Comers record.

On the women’s side, Ethiopia’s Mestawut Fikir emerged as the surprise victor with a time of 1:06:44.

Read more: When is the world championships men’s marathon and how to watch it live?

Daniel Mateiko Dethrones Jemal Yimer

From the onset, Mateiko and two-time defending champion Jemal Yimer set a blistering pace, distancing themselves from the rest of the pack. Their duel persisted throughout the race, with Mateiko eventually gaining the upper hand in the final stretch.

Reflecting on his performance, Mateiko said, “The race was good. I was expecting a fast race because I was well prepared. This is my first win ever at the national level. I am very, very happy about the win.”

With his time comfortably surpassing the previous course record of 59:04, Mateiko pocketed $5,000 for his win. Additionally, he was awarded £1,000 in prize money for shattering both the course and UK All-Comers records.

Yimer, who had his sights set on a third Antrim Coast Half Marathon title, secured a commendable second place with a time of 58:38. Nibret Melak of Ethiopia rounded off the podium, finishing third in 59:49.

The winning time by Daniel Mateiko was well inside the previous world lead of 58:45 set by compatriot Benard Kibet in February.

Mestawut Fikir Stuns with Victory in Women’s Race

The women’s race saw a standout performance from Mestawut Fikir of Ethiopia. Delivering a significant personal best by over six minutes, she crossed the finish line in 1:06:44, defying pre-race predictions.

Assisted by her pacers until the final moments of the race, Fikir’s win was a testament to her preparation and strategy, and she was all smiles after recovering from the after-effects of running at such a brisk early morning pace.

Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir, the favorite in the event’s build up, followed her home next, registering a season-best time of 1:06:44 to claim second place.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Fabienne Königstein finished third with a praiseworthy 1:07:31, a significant improvement from her previous best of 1:11:39 set in Berlin in 2019.

The Clearer Water Antrim Coast Half Marathon is renowned for its swift course, a reputation that was further solidified by the exceptional times recorded by both male and female participants this year.

2023 Clearer Water Antrim Coast Half Marathon Results

Men’s Results

1. Daniel Mateiko (Kenya) – Chip Time: 58:36, Race Time: 58:36
2. Jemal Yimer (Ethiopia) – Chip Time: 58:38, Race Time: 58:38
3. Nibret Melak (Ethiopia) – Chip Time: 59:49, Race Time: 59:49
4. Tsegay Kidanu (Ethiopia) – Chip Time: 59:50, Race Time: 59:50
5. Vincent Mutai (Kenya) – Chip Time: 1:00:21, Race Time: 1:00:21
6. Alfred Ngeno (Kenya) – Chip Time: 1:01:10, Race Time: 1:01:10
7. Shadrack Kimining (PACE) (Kenya) – Chip Time: 1:01:21, Race Time: 1:01:21
8. Abel Sikowo (Uganda) – Chip Time: 1:02:11, Race Time: 1:02:12
9. Hiko Tonosa (Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:02:24, Race Time: 1:02:24
10. Bereket Zeleke (Ethiopia) – Chip Time: 1:02:27, Race Time: 1:02:27
11. Fearghal Curtin (Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:02:34, Race Time: 1:02:35
12. Martin Musyoka (Kenya) – Chip Time: 1:03:00, Race Time: 1:03:00
13. Michael Somers (Belgium) – Chip Time: 1:03:17, Race Time: 1:03:17
14. Omer Ahmed (England) – Chip Time: 1:03:19, Race Time: 1:03:20
15. Kevin Seaward (Northern Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:04:33, Race Time: 1:04:34
16. Mo Ali (Netherlands) – Chip Time: 1:04:47, Race Time: 1:04:47
17. Callum Hawkins (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:05:03, Race Time: 1:05:03
18. Ollie Lockley (England) – Chip Time: 1:05:05, Race Time: 1:05:05
19. John Travers (Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:05:40, Race Time: 1:05:40
20. Jonathan Collier (England) – Chip Time: 1:05:52, Race Time: 1:05:52
21. Nick Bowker (England) – Chip Time: 1:06:13, Race Time: 1:06:14
22. M Hall (Northern Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:06:15, Race Time: 1:06:16
23. Chris Thomas (England) – Chip Time: 1:06:21, Race Time: 1:06:22
24. Sean Doyle (Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:06:21, Race Time: 1:06:22

Women’s Results

25. Mestawut Fikir (Ethiopia) – Chip Time: 1:06:44, Race Time: 1:06:44
26. Evaline Chirchir (Kenya) – Chip Time: 1:07:38, Race Time: 1:07:38
27. Fabienne Konigstein (Germany) – Chip Time: 1:10:31, Race Time: 1:10:31
28. Shona Heaslip (Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:10:34, Race Time: 1:10:35
29. Hannah Irwin (Northern Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:11:04, Race Time: 1:11:05
30. Natasha Phillips (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:11:19, Race Time: 1:11:20
31. Mhairi Maclennan (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:11:26, Race Time: 1:11:26
32. Rosie Edwards (Wales) – Chip Time: 1:13:16, Race Time: 1:13:17
33. Sarah Inglis (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:13:38, Race Time: 1:13:38
34. Heather Townsend (England) – Chip Time: 1:13:40, Race Time: 1:13:43
35. Verity Hopkins (England) – Chip Time: 1:14:05, Race Time: 1:14:07
36. Sarah Potter (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:14:25, Race Time: 1:14:27
37. Camilla Mcknespiey (England) – Chip Time: 1:15:04, Race Time: 1:15:06
38. Hattie Freeman (England) – Chip Time: 1:15:36, Race Time: 1:15:39
39. Jessica Saunders (England) – Chip Time: 1:15:48, Race Time: 1:15:50
40. Eilidh Bell (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:15:55, Race Time: 1:15:58
41. Leah Hanle (Germany) – Chip Time: 1:16:01, Race Time: 1:16:03
42. Sara Green (Scotland) – Chip Time: 1:16:25, Race Time: 1:16:28
43. Noleen Scanlan (Northern Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:16:31, Race Time: 1:16:34
44. Annie Saugstrup (Denmark) – Chip Time: 1:16:40, Race Time: 1:16:42
45. Karen Blaney (Ireland) – Chip Time: 1:17:38, Race Time: 1:17:40
46. Cecilia Mobuchon (France) – Chip Time: 1:17:59, Race Time: 1:18:00
47. Sarah Short (England) – Chip Time: 1:19:32, Race Time: 1:19:34

Full results here