Merga holds off rival

Ethiopia's Deriba Merga was pushed to the wire before successfully defending his Airtel Delhi half marathon title.

The closely-fought race saw Merga win by six seconds ahead of team-mate Eshetu Wendimu in a time of 59 minutes 54 seconds, with Kenya's Wilson Kipsang, last year's runner-up, third in 1hr 0min 4sec.

Mary Keitany, winner of the IAAF world half marathon title three weeks ago, was again in brilliant form as she stormed to a course record of 1:06:54 in the women's race.

The 27-year-old Kenyan finished well ahead of Ayelew Wude, who outsprinted fellow Ethiopian Aberu Kebede by a second to claim second place in 1:07:58.