Emane Seifu Hayile of Ethiopia set new women’s-only-race 50k world record of 3:00:29 at the 2023 Negedbank Runified 50km in Gqeberha, South Africa. This record is pending ratification.
This breaks the previous women’s-only-race 50k world record, which was set at this event in 2021 when Irvette Van Zyln (South Africa) ran 3:04:24. Hayile was not clear of the U.S.’s Des Linden’s faster-recorded Women’s 50km world record for a mixed race of 2:59:54, also set in 2021. Records for both women’s-only and mixed races are kept by the governing body World Athletics.
The 2023 Nedbank Runified 50k women’s race started at 5:30 a.m. local time in South Africa and completed five 10-kilometer loops over flat roads.
At the start, a group of six women packed up in the lead, eventually dwindling to four as the group passed the 25-kilometer mark in 1:30:28. This group was composed of race favorite Amelework Fekadu, Tinebeb Nebiyu and the winner Emane , all from Ethiopia. Namibia’s Helalia Johannes was also part of the group but would soon drop after her pace making duties finished.
Three runners were left leading together. Bosho dropped from the group next, leaving Emane and Ali alone up front. With around 13k to go, and after encouragement from Ali, who was visibly working to maintain Emane’s pace, Emane surged to cover the final kilometers solo and cross the line in 3:00:30.
She ran a very slight negative split for the race, with her pace coming out to 5:49 minutes per mile (3:37 minutes per kilometer).
Men’s champion, Tete Dijana of South Africa, crossed the line in 2:39:04. An incredible run, no doubt, this does not break the current still-to-be-ratified men’s 50k world record.
The current men’s 50k world record is held byCJ Albertson of the U.S., who ran 2:38:43 in October 20222.
