Runners Will Chase Historic Times at 2023 Publix Atlanta Half Marathon

ATLANTA - February 16, 2023 - A run for records will take place at the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon next week where some of the world's best runners will attempt to complete the fastest half marathon ever run in the state of Georgia. This year's elite field features eight men who have run faster than the current men's record of 1:00:36 and four women who have run faster than the women's record of 1:08:22. Both times were set at this event in 2022.

Nicholas Kosimbei will return to Atlanta to defend his title and his record. The 26-year-old from Kenya dominated last year's race which was held in the driving rain, winning by more than two minutes. Fellow Kenyans Raymond Magut and Goeffrey Koech who placed second and third respectively last year are also returning. Magut boasts a personal best of 1:00:00 while Koech has broken the one-hour mark with a career best of 59:36. Koech won his most recent half marathon, the B.A.A.Half Marathon in Boston last November.

"I love the course in Atlanta," said Kosimbei. "I am looking forward to returning and my goal is to break my own course record."

Other top contenders include Tsegay Kidanu (Ethiopia, 59:39), Josphat Tanui (Kenya, 59:40), Phenus Kipleting (Kenya, 1:00:08) and Bethwell Yegon (Kenya, 1:00:57), the runner-up at the 2021 BMW Berlin Marathon.

With last year's winner Dorcas Tuitoek not returning in 2023, a new face will break the tape to win the women's title. The fastest woman in the field is Kenya's Cynthia Jerotich. Jerotich was a dominant force on the roads from 2013 to 2016, setting a half marathon personal best of 1:06:04 and winning a silver medal at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2016. Jerotich stepped away from racing in 2017 and gave birth to three children before returning to competition last year. At 33, she will be looking to return to the form that saw her winning road races around the world including some of the most prestigious events in the United States.

Jerotich will face Helah Kiprop, the winner of last year's Copenhagen Marathon and the runner-up at the Frankfort Marathon. Kirprop, a 2016 Olympian from Kenya, has a half marathon personal best of 1:07:39. Also among the fastest in the field are 2017 Houston Half Marathon winner Veronica Wanjiru (Kenya, 1:07:58) and Vibian Chepkirui (1:08:02). Chepkirui won the Vienna Marathon last year in a course record time of 2:20:59.

Athletes in the 2023 Publix Atlanta Half Marathon will be competing for a $22,000 prize purse including a first place prize of $4,000. There is an additional $2,500 bonus for the male or female winner who sets the course and Georgia all-time record. Full elite fields can be found below. The race will be streamed live on Atlanta Track Club's YouTube page with commentary from Chris Chavez, Carrie Tollefson and Ali Feller.

Part of Atlanta's Marathon Weekend, more than 8,500 runners will take part in the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K and Kids' Races held February 25-26 at Centennial Olympic Park. The weekend will also feature the USATF Masters 5km Championship which will be held in conjunction with the Publix Atlanta 5K on Saturday, February 25.

Men's Field

Women's Field