National middle-distance runner Soh Rui Yong clocked a personal best on Saturday at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Kobenhavn, Denmark, finishing the race in 1hr 8min 18sec.

The 22-year-old Singaporean was 93rd out of 112 runners in the race, his time almost four minutes faster than his previous best of 1:12:12 clocked in October 2012.

Soh also finished almost two minutes ahead of compatriot Mok Ying Ren, who clocked 1:10.15 to finish in 101st place.

Mok, 25, holds the national best of 1:07:53 for the distance, clocked last November at the Ageo City Half Marathon in Japan.

The race was won by Kenya's Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, who clocked the year's best timing of 59:07. Eritrea's Samuel Tsegay was second with a personal best of 59:20, while Ethiopian Guye Adola was slightly behind, also with a personal best of 59:20.

A total of 14 out of the top 20 runners clocked a personal best. Said Kamworor: "The field was very competitive, that's (why) I was pushing, pushing, pushing."

In the women's race, Kenya reigned supreme by taking the top five positions. Gladys Cherono was first with 1:07:28, while Mary Wacera Ngugi was second (1:07:43), followed by Selly Chepyego Kaptich (1:07:51).