CARDIFF (AFP) - Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor retained his World Half Marathon title with victory on the streets of Cardiff on Saturday despite slipping at the start.

Kamworor recovered to win in a time of 59 min 10 sec, ahead of compatriot Bedan Karoki.

Britain's Mo Farah, the reigning 5,000 and 10,000 metres Olympic champion, finished third in 59:59 after outsprinting Ethiopia's Abayneh Ayele in the home straight.

Kenya were even more commanding in the women's race, where Peres Jepchirchir led a clean sweep of the podium.

That wet and windy conditions in the Welsh capital would prove difficult for the runners was evident when Kamworor slipped soon after the starter's gun was fired.

However, he recovered in style and Farah, who is set to defend his Olympic titles at this year's Games in Rio, could not find a way through.

"I am disappointed," he told the BBC. "With great support from the home crowd it would have been nice to win.

"But there were better athletes who won on the day, the guys were strong and I couldn't go with it.

"I did run a fast time but as an athlete you always want to win. It gives me massive motivation for Rio."