Kenyan runners dominate 2025 Beijing Half Marathon

BEIJING -- Kenyan runners Charles Mbatha Matata and Susy Chebet Chemaimek triumphed in the men's and women's races respectively at the 2025 Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday.

Matata finished first in one hour and 25 seconds, seven seconds ahead of his compatriot Wisley Kipkemoi Yego, while Ethiopia's Getachew Masresha Kidie took the third place.

"I really appreciate the opportunity to race in Beijing. The course here is good," Matata said after the race. "I was focusing on 59 minutes, which is my target time. The final result is not so bad and not so good."

Chemaimek broke the course record in the women's race with one hour, nine minutes, and seven seconds, followed by Rispa Cherop of Uganda and Ethiopia's Beriha Gebreyohanes Gebreslasie in second and third, respectively.

The Beijing Half Marathon has a profound history of nearly 70 years. This year's race spans from Tiananmen Square to the Beijing Olympic Park, attracting a record 169,879 runners signing up for the lottery of 20,000 spots.