Strong showing by Salazar athletes in Valencia half marathons

Paris - One former Alberto Salazar-coached athlete Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha won the men's half marathon in Valencia on Sunday, while another, Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, was second in the women's race after a fall.

Kejelcha, the 10,000m silver medallist in the World Championships in Doha earlier in the month, won in 59min 5sec, ahead of Kenyan Bernard Ngeno (59:07).

Hassan had been aiming to break the world best of 1hr 4min 51sec set by Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei on the same course in 2017, but finished second, 21 seconds behind Ethiopian Senbere Teferi.

Hassan, who completed the unusual double of 10,000m and 1,500m in Doha, crossed the line in 1hr 05 min 53 sec after taking a tumble early in the race.

Hassan and Kejelcha were both part of the Nike Oregon Project, an elite group put together by Salazar, who has been suspended from the sport for four years after a six-year investigation by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).