World Half Marathon Championships

The IAAF World Half Marathon Championships took place Saturday in Bulgaria. Universal Sports Network had promos during other broadcasts saying it would air the same day. I set my DVR to record it and planned on watching it Sunday.

When I played the broadcast, I saw that the men were at the start line. The men started and I figured that the ladies would start about 10-15 minutes after the men. What ended up happening was the women actually ran their half marathon first. The men ran second.

Universal Sports broadcasted the entire men's half marathon. During the course of the men's half, a clip of the women's race was shown. That clip lasted about 30 seconds. I was very disappointed. I wanted to see both the men's and women's race.

Universal Sports always does a great job of showing coverage of men's and women's sports. I love to watch the network for their track and field, triathlon and equestrian coverage. For their ITU World Triathlon coverage, each gender has their own braodcast from each race. Usually the women's race will be shown on a Saturday and the men's race will be aired on Sunday. I was wondering why they didn't try that method with the World Half Marathon?

I sent a tweet to Universal Sports saying I was disappointed in the 30 second clip of the women's race. In a second tweet, I asked why they didn't show the men and women's races like they do with the ITU triathlon series? I don't know if they saw it or not. I just wanted them to know that I wanted to see the women race too. Maybe other running fans would have liked to also watch the women's race.

Women's Half Marathon results
1. Meseret Hailu - ETH - 1:08:55
2 Feyse Tadese - ETH - 1:08:56
3. Paskalia Chepkorir Kipkoech - KEN - 1:09:04
4. Lydia Chermei - KEN - 1:09:13
5. Emebt Etea - ETH- 1:10:01

Top 3 U.S. Women
13. Meagan Krifchin - 1:12:29
18. Adriana Nelson - 1:13:30
25. Shalane Flanagan - 1:14:41

Women's Team results
1. Ethiopia
2. Kenya
3. Japan
4. Great Britian & N.I.
5. United States

Men's Half Marathon results
1. Zersenay Tadeses - ERI - 1:00:19
2. Deressa Chimsa - ETH- 1:00:51
3. John Nzau Mwangangi - KEN - 1:01:01
4. Pius Maiyo Kirop - KEN- 1:01:11
5. Stephen Kosgei Kibet - KEN - 1:01:40

Top 3 U.S. Men
15. Augustus Maiyo - 1:02:33
17. Luke Puskedra - 1:02:46
28. Ian Burrell - 1:04:37

Men's Team results
1. Kenya
2. Eritrea
3. Ethiopia
4. United States
5. Uganda

Photo Credits:
Top: Meseret Hailu of Ethiopia celebrates her victory as she crosses the finishing line during the 20th IAAF Women's World Half Marathon on October 6, 2012 in Kavarna, Bulgaria. (Getty Images Europe/Scott Heavey)

Bottom: Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea celebrates his victory during the 20th IAAF Mens World Half Marathon on October 6, 2012 in Kavarna, Bulgaria. (Getty Images Europe/Scott Heavey)