Keitany takes half-marathon crown

Mary Keitany justified her position as pre-race favourite by easily winning the IAAF World Half Marathon title in Birmingham.

The Kenyan led from start to finish and was challenged only by Ethiopia's Aberu Kebede, who she lost just before the 10 kilometre mark to to win by a comfortable margin in a time of one hour, six minutes and 36 seconds.

Keitany who smashed Paula Radcliffe's championship record was followed home by team-mate Philes Ongori who passed the tired Kebede in the closing stages and beat her by a second in 1hr 7min 38sec.

Kenya claimed the team title with an aggregate time of 3hr 22min 30sec from the Ethiopia (3:26.14) with Russia placing third in 3:31.23.

The British women, led home by Claire Hallissey in 25th position, finished seventh with an aggregate time of 3:41.00.

In the men's race Zersenay Tadese surged clear after 10km in another dominant performance to clinch a third successive title in a time of 59min 35sec.

The Eritrean, who lowered the championship record he shared with Shem Kororia by a massive 21 seconds was followed across the line by Bernard Kipyego.

The Kenyan runner-up outsprinted Dathan Ritzenhein of the United States by a second in a time of 59min 59sec to lead his country to a fourth successive team success.

Their three counters recorded 3:01.06, to finish ahead of Eritrea's 3:02.59sec with Ethiopia a distant third in 3:06. 42.

Andrew Lemoncello, in 26th, was first Briton and the team took 14th place in 3:12.42.