Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway’s track sensation, faced a tough debut at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, finishing 34th with a time of 1:03:13. Just days after securing victory in the Diamond League 1,500m final, the 23-year-old attempted his first half marathon but encountered difficulties adjusting to the longer distance.
Ingebrigtsen started off strong, staying with the front-runners and passing the 10k mark in a swift 27:27. However, his pace quickly dropped as he showed signs of fatigue, briefly stopping and considering withdrawal. Despite his struggles, he managed to finish the race by alternating between walking and running.
While Ingebrigtsen faced challenges, the race up front was nothing short of exciting. Kenyan athlete Sebastian Sawe emerged victorious in a closely contested finish, crossing the line in 58:05. Sawe overtook world record holder Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, who finished just behind him in 58:09, to claim the title.
Speculation about Ingebrigtsen’s participation surfaced earlier in the week, just days after his Diamond League triumph in Brussels. The rumors were confirmed by race organizers, with Ingebrigtsen himself hinting at his involvement on social media, stating, “The season is not over yet.”
Despite maintaining pace with the leading pack through the first 10 kilometers, Ingebrigtsen appeared visibly uncomfortable, grimacing and breathing heavily. He admitted afterward that his training typically does not exceed 20 kilometers, which may have contributed to his struggles in the latter half of the race. Ingebrigtsen, who holds world records in the 2,000m, 3,000m, and 2-mile events, is still unaccustomed to longer distances.
At the front, the competition was fierce, with Sawe, Kiplimo, Isaia Lasoi, and Amos Kurgat running in a tight group. They were paced by Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Berihu Aregawi until the 15k mark, after which the final three kilometers became a sprint to the finish. Sawe pulled ahead in the final moments, securing the win over Kiplimo in a dramatic finish.
In the women’s race, Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi also delivered a standout performance, finishing in 1:05:11. The Kenyan runner, who previously won the Valencia Half Marathon, came close to breaking the event record, further establishing herself as one of the top long-distance runners in the world.
The Copenhagen Half Marathon, renowned for its fast course and competitive field, once again delivered exciting and high-level racing, with Sawe and Kipkemboi taking center stage while Ingebrigtsen experienced a learning curve in his first attempt at the distance.
