Ethiopia’s Fentaye Belayneh won the women’s race at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, pulling clear late to take the title in 1:04:49.
Belayneh finished just three seconds ahead of compatriot Tsigie Gebreselama, who crossed the line in 1:04:52, as the pair separated themselves from the rest of the field in the closing stages. Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba Kejela was third in 1:05:57, so it was quite a good day for the Ethiopian contingent.
Belayneh, an experienced road racer, especially in the half marathon with previous wins in the Boston Half Marathon, showed control throughout the second half of the race, maintaining a steady pace as the lead group gradually thinned. Her move in the final kilometres proved decisive, allowing her to hold off Gebreselama to secure the win.
American Taylor Roe was the top U.S. finisher, placing fourth in 1:06:20. Roe, who has continued to move up in distance over the past year, led a strong domestic showing that included Natasha Rogers in seventh (1:07:30), Makenna Myler in ninth (1:07:37), and Amanda Vestri in tenth (1:07:43).
Mexico’s Laura Galvan finished eighth in 1:07:31, while Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir placed sixth in 1:07:26.
Sunday’s race unfolded alongside a men’s event that also produced a course record by Habtom Samuel is his debut half marathon.
