The Athlete of the Week
Long-distance runner Joan Chelimo Melly wins Paris Half Marathon.
Steliu Lambru, 05.03.2024, 13:45
The Kenyan-born Romanian runner Joan Chelimo Melly from CS Dinamo Bucharest won the women’s half marathon in Paris held on Sunday. She also set a new national record, finishing in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 57 seconds. She was followed by two Kenyan runners, Veronica Loleo, 48 seconds later, and Jesphine Jepleting, 1 minute and 13 seconds later. Romania’s previous half marathon record was 1 hour, 7 minutes and 45 seconds and belonged to Stella Rutto, another Kenyan-born runner, and was recorded on 21st February 2021. For her achievement, Radio Romania International is choosing Joan Chelimo Melly as Athlete of the Week.
Joan Chelimo Melly was born in 1990 in Kenya. She arrived in Romania thanks to her coach, Carol Șanta, who discovered her when she was signed up with the Turkish Athletics Federation. Chelimo Melly and two other Kenyan-born athletes were initially signed up by CSA Steaua Bucharest and officially started competing for Romania in 2021. Her achievements so far are remarkable. Since 2011, she has won six titles in the 10 km race and 3 medals in the 15 km race. She has won no fewer than 10 titles in the half marathon, including in Boston, and now, Paris. She also competes in shorter races, such as the 5,000 m race. Joan Chelimo Melly will compete in the marathon race in the Paris Olympic Games this year and says winning the gold is her main goal.
