Brian Kwemoi Kirui from Kenya crosses the finish line first at the Beijing Half Marathon 2023 on April 16, 2023. Kirui won the men's race in a course record time of 59 minutes and 37 seconds. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)
Kenyan runner Brian Kwemoi Kirui lowered the Beijing Half Marathon record to 59:37.
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At the 2023 Beijing Half Marathon, Kenya's Brian Kwemoi Kirui registered a new men's course record in 59:37 on Sunday, while China's Liu Min finished first in 1:11:07 in the women's race.
"The weather in Beijing today makes me feel comfortable. I am really delighted to renew my personal best here. My coach's support helps a lot," Liu said after the race.
Liu Min crosses the finish line first at the Beijing Half Marathon 2023 in Beijing, China. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)
China's Yang Kegu followed Kirui to finish second in 1:03:41, which also surpassed the previous record set by Chinese runner Peng Jianhua in 2021, who was third this time.
About 20,000 runners from 27 countries and regions including China, France and Brazil participated in the event this year, starting in the Tian'anmen Square and ending in the Olympic Park.
Runners cheer at the starting point of the 2023 Beijing Half Marathon. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)
The Beijing Half Marathon, also known as Beijing International Running Festival, can be traced back to 1956. ■
