The 2014 International Nice Half Marathon lived up to all expectations, with participants of the 21.1 km and the 10 km races taking the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice by storm.
The various events, punctuated by musical and friendly animations, ended in jubilation at the finish line under the cheers of a large crowd.
If the organizers can congratulate themselves on a new participation record with 4,000 registered for the main distance of 21.1 km, there were no timing records to highlight this year.
In total, nearly 10,000 runners (1,319 for the Niรงoise; 1,600 for the Haribo Family Run; 302 for the Haribo kid’s Run; 4,000 for the 21.1 km; 2,700 for the 10 km) took part in the five races offered.
As usual, the lead pack, driven by the formidable Kenyans, set the pace for the rest of the open race. The Kenyan Jideon NGATUNY imposed a strong pace from the start on the rest of the elite pack but eventually dropped out at the 19th km.
As for timing, from the early race times, the hopes of setting records vanished with a race pace above the current record (note: record held since 2012 by Bernard KOECH in 59’57”).
At the finish line, it was neck and neck as Kenyan Kenedy KIPYEKO claimed first place in 1h01’31”, ahead of his compatriot Charles OGARI in 1h01’33”, and the Frenchman Isaac KIPKOSGEI BIRIR who took third place on the podium in 1h01’34”.
The first regional, Fouad EL AZZAOUI, double winner of ‘Courir pour une fleur’, finished in 1h10’18”.
Among the women, the Kenyan Janet KISA took control from the first kilometers and finished in 1h11’01”, ahead of the Ukrainian Olga SKRYPAK, who finished in 1h13’09”, and the Kenyan Pauline NJERI in 1h16’53”.
In the 10 km event, it was the Englishman Daniel NASH who claimed victory in 31’12”. Among the women, just like in 2013, it was a winning double for the Frenchwoman and first regional Karima KHERROUBI, who improved her time and once again claimed first place in 36’53” (note: 2013 time: 37’26”).
