Posted: May 3, 2005

Athletics: 7500 participants, a record and loads of emotions at Nice Half-Marathon

It was a perfect day for running - more than 7500 competitors took part in the race on the famous Promenade des Anglais, flanked by the sea and palm trees, in perpetual festive atmosphere.

All along the course, a crowd of 30,000 people was present, cheering and encouraging the competitors and enjoying the festivities in the streets of the beautiful capital of the French Riviera.

Greatly anticipated and appreciated, this annual competition unites champions and amateurs alike, who join in increasing high numbers year after year. The flat course allowed the best French and international athletes to achieve great performances!

For this 14th edition, we must remember the performance of BARUS Benson, who broke Julius Rotich's 2004 record of 1h01'27" with 1h01'14". Among the French participants were also great performers! Let us first congratulate SENDJASNI Miloud, the first French (and first local) runner with his 14th place, and DAHMANI Zaia, who climbed on the third step of the podium.

In the men's competition, one had to wait until the 10th kilometre for the group of leading runners to break apart. In the last 3 kilometres, Barus Benson, from Kenya, progressively increased his speed, leaving his fellow compatriots behind, and crossed the finish line in 1h01'14".

He was closely followed by Kirui Philip with 1h01'33" and Maregu Joseph with 1h02'31".

In the women's competition, we witnessed a fierce battle between the favourites, but the Russian PERMITINA Irina, who finished sixth at the 2005 Paris Marathon, quickly took the lead of the race.

Kenyan ASIBA Nouriah, the favourite, finished second, with a time of 1h12'48". DAHMANI Zaira, from France, topped her wonderful performance with a time of 1h16'21", and stepped on the podium alongside the two great champions.

Not only were there excellent results, but there were also a record number of participants: no less than 7500 runners took part in the competition in the streets of Nice. The three most popular races of the 14th edition, the 21.1, 10 and 4 kilometres, united professionals, amateurs and beginners with one thing in common: their passion of the sport.

Rankings:
   Men 					    
1 BARUS Benson (Ken)  1h01'14''	
2 KIRUI Philip (Ken) 1h01'33''             
3 MAREGU Joseph (Ken) 1h02'31''	   

Women
1 PERMITINA Irina (Rus) 1h12'20''
2 ASIBA Nouriah (Ken) 1h12'48''
3 DAHMANI Zaia (Fra) 1h16'21''