Half marathon relay makes its world debut

Latvia The half marathon relay will be included for the first time at the 2023 World Road Championships in Riga on October 1.

The tournament will host races at half marathon, 5km, and one mile (1.6km) distances, with thousands of amateur runners from at least 100 countries and territories competing alongside professional athletes.

Riga 2023 is also the first event in the World Athletics system to include a half marathon relay event, allowing two athletes per team - who can be colleagues, friends, family members or acquaintances - to conquer a distance of 21.0975 km together. This event was created to meet the needs of runners who feel that running 5 km is too short, while running a half marathon is too long.

Basically, half marathon relay athletes also hold batons and divide the distance like other relay events in athletics. Photo: Urban Media — Basically, half marathon relay athletes also hold batons and divide the distance like other relay events in athletics. Photo: *Urban Media*

According to the format set by World Athletics, the first runner will run approximately 10.2 km from the starting line to the Dailes Theater, then hand the baton to the remaining runner who will complete approximately 10.9 km from this mark to the finish line on the riverbank. At that time, the first runner can go to the finish line first to greet his relay partner.

The first runner will receive a finisher's medal outside the Dailes Theatre, and the second runner will receive a medal at the finish line.

Each half marathon relay team of two will receive a baton with a timing chip that can be folded or rolled up. Each runner will also receive a number pinned to their chest.

The results will include the total half marathon time of the two runners, as well as each member's individual completion time.

The entry fee for the Riga 2023 Half Marathon Relay is $53, or $26.50 per person. The entire entry fee will be paid by one registered runner, who can then split the membership fee with the other runner. Runners can register until September 30.

British athletics legend Mo Farah is set to compete in the half marathon at Riga 2023. Farah is a superstar in the 5,000m and 10,000m races, winning four Olympic gold medals and six world championship gold medals. The 1983-born runner switched to long-distance races in 2017, winning the 2018 Chicago Marathon.

The notable female elite will be Samantha Harrison - the first British runner to finish the 2023 London Marathon. She has been in great form in 2023, setting personal bests (PBs) in the 10km (30:51), half marathon (67:17) and marathon (2:25:59).

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon is another top contender. She has been on fire in 2023, breaking three world records in two months in the mile, 1,500m, 5,000m, and just won the 1,500m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Hong Duy

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