Sports
Half Marathon: Bekele Breaks Mo Farah’s Course Record
Ethopia’s Kenenisa Bekele continued his preparations for the London marathon with victory in the Big Half Kenenisa Bekele broke Mo Farah’s course record in the men’s Vitality Big Half race in London with a time of one hour and 22 seconds.
Bekele shaved 1:18 minutes off the record set in 2019 by Briton Farah, who missed out with an Achilles injury.
Britain’s Lily Partridge won the elite women’s race for the first time with a time of 1:10:50.
Two-time marathon winner Shelly Woods made a successful return to the capital in the women’s wheelchair race.
Brent Lakatos won the men’s wheelchair event with six-time Paralympic champion David Weir in second.
Britain’s Christopher Thompson finished second in the men’s race, with Jake Smith in third.
The full London marathon will take place on Sunday, 26 April.
Bekele’s victory sets up an exciting head-to-battle with Eliud Kipchoge, as the two fastest marathon runners of all time line up for April’s race.
“The new course record is a great bonus. I wasn’t focused on time today, I just wanted to win,” said Bekele.
“I’m on schedule in my preparation for the London Marathon in April. There’s no question about the crowds in London being great.
“They were cheering all around the course and it felt like a great place to be.”
Partridge – running in her third London half-marathon – cruised to victory in the women’s race.
Her compatriots Samantha Harrison and Stephanie Davis finished second and third respectively.
“My coach said to me before the start that the goal was to win.”
“It wasn’t about the time today. It’s my fastest ever half marathon during a marathon build-up.”
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
