The 2012 Nice International Half Marathon lived up to all expectations. Over 8,000 registered participants in the 4 races offered set off this Sunday in Nice on the Promenade des Anglais, despite the rainy weather!
After a fierce battle, it was ultimately the Kenyan Bernard KOECH who seized the first place and broke a new record for the distance ahead of his compatriot Titus MASAI (former record holder of the event at exactly 1 hour) by crossing the finish line in 59’57”. The weather’s whims did not deter the perseverance of the new record holder, and it was under the sun that this beautiful, emotion-packed day concluded.
2 km Little Champions to kick off the event
8:30 am, the runners of the 2 km Little Champions set off under a pouring rain on the same course as the champions. Since its inception in 2001, this event has experienced phenomenal success. This year, despite the rain, 350 participants came to push their limits.
Mathieu GALLET climbed to the top of the podium in 7’00”.
La Niçoise, a race with a big heart
15 minutes later, it was the turn of the participants in the popular event La Niçoise / nice-matin in support of the fight against breast cancer, with the support of the Défi de Femmes association, to set off.
For the third consecutive year, the event was a great success with a total of 1,430 participants over the two formats. Sonia HAMOUD claimed victory in 20’17”.
A record-breaking 10 and 21.1 km
9:30 am, the champions took the stage with the simultaneous start of the 10 and 21.1 km races.
As usual, the lead pack led by the formidable Kenyans and Ethiopians set the pace for the rest of the runners. The leading group, composed of 8 athletes including Ethiopian Ayele MERKEBU and Kenyan Paul LONYANGATA, set a strong pace from the start. The first 5 kilometers ran in 14’02” suggested a potential record under an hour. Very quickly, Bernard KOECH reclaimed the lead, advancing one second ahead of the record, pursued by Titus MASAI, the current record holder who wasn’t giving up. MASAI’s efforts were in vain, and Bernard KOECH eventually crossed the finish line in under an hour at 59’57”, ahead of Titus MASAI in 1h00’29”, and Ethiopian Tesfaye ABERA, who took third place in 1h00’32”.
Among the women, Ethiopian Imana GUTEMI won in 1h11’11” ahead of her runner-up, Kenyan Pauline NJERI, who finished in 1h13’42” and her compatriot Marcelyne ONDIEKI in 1h13’53”.
The first French woman, Svetlana PRETOT, finished in 1h15’23”.
The first French and regional athlete licensed at Stade Laurentin Athlétisme, William STRUYVEN, finished 13th overall in 1h09’41”.
The Deputy Mayor of Nice, Christian ESTROSI, wearing bib number 6, finished under 2 hours in 1h59’34”.
In the 10 km event, it was Laurent BOSSUS who claimed victory in 32’16”. The first regional, Martial LAIGLE, finished in 34’02”. Among the women, Frenchwoman and first regional, Karrima KHERROUBI, finished in 37’26”.
A popular success and a rendezvous set for 2013
The various events, interspersed with musical and friendly entertainment, concluded in jubilation as participants crossed the finish line to the cheers of a large crowd. The organizers invite everyone back on April 21, 2013, for the 22nd edition.
