The men’s race was a crowded one with Selemon Barega and Kiplimo, a bronze medalist over the 10,000m at Tokyo 2020 and at the 2021 worlds, heading the pack interchangeably with Kenenisa Bekele running at a touching distance.
Kiplimo made a sudden injection of pace in his first Great North Run just before the halfway point, and remained unchallenged. He comfortably extended his command of the race and at the 19km mark had a 32-second lead, brilliant running from the young East African who capped his track season with double distance titles at last month’s Commonwealth Games.
Selemon, who struggled at the Worlds where he did the distance double, had a successful half marathon debut in second place ahead of triple Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele.
It was a perfect build-up for the 40-year-old distance running star, winner of the 2013 edition of UK’s biggest running event over the distance, ahead of his return to the London marathon on October 2.
Earlier, the women’s event was shaped up to be a race of four with Obiri, the two-time Olympic silver medallist who ended her track career with second place finish in the 10,000m at the World Athletics championships last July, showing early intent.
Kenyan Helen Obiri paced the early breakaway group who stayed intact until 10km then she timed her sprint at the 500m mark for a brilliant second successive title.
Almaz Ayana’s third place finish was outstanding after difficult recent seasons. She had surgery on both knees following her Rio 2016 10,000m gold medal win, and also became a mother. Her compatriot Hiwot Gebrekidan finished fourth.