MARY KEITANY put a less than ideal build-up behind her to take the World Half Marathon title in Birmingham yesterday.

The Kenyan’s superb front running display saw her post a 15-kilometre time of 46 minutes 51 seconds before finishing in one hour, six minutes and 36 seconds despite being held in a broken lift for an hour on Saturday.

Living up to her pre-race favourite’s tag, Keitany was not challenged after pulling away from her rivals just before 10 kilometres. Her success helped Kenya to their third team success in four years.

The 27-year-old, runner-up two years ago when Lornah Kiplagat set her world record of one hour, six minutes and 25secs in Udine, easily blew away the challenges of team-mate Philes Ongori who finished in 1:07.38 and Ethiopia’s Aberu Kebede in third.

Keitany admitted she had been affected by her claustrophobic experience yesterday when she missed the pre-race press conference when trapped for almost an hour.

“I thought I would collapse. Inside there it was very hot and we were all sweating so I drank lots and lots of water,” Keitany said after collecting a cheque of nearly £19,000 for her victory.

However, she missed out on a cheque for more than £31,000 after UK Athletics ruled the 15-kilometre time was not a world record because the course was slightly downhill.

The Kenyan’s overall team time of 3:22.30 saw them easily beat Ethiopia and Russia who recorded 3:26.14 and 3:31.23.

Zersenay Tadese also lived up to his formidable reputation when winning a third successive half marathon gold medal in the men’s race.

“The race was very hard and windy, it was not easy and there were some tough athletes competing,” Tadese said.