Search
shop

Emma P-B lives up to her name with new half marathon personal best

Triathlon star Emma Pallant-Browne finished 11th at the South African Half Marathon Championships on Saturday.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Emma Pallant-Browne succeeded in her mission to notch a new half marathon personal best when she clocked 1:11:35 on Saturday.

The PTO’s #7 ranked athlete was a winner at IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence a fortnight ago but she’s mixed things up a bit this season as she also reclaimed the World Duathlon title in Ibiza in late April, which she’d also won in 2015 and 2016.

And she’d set aside this weekend for a run-only event, telling us in Ibiza recently of her plans: “Back in South Africa, I am going to do the South African Half Marathon Championships; I want to run quicker than my personal best, which is around 72:00, so anything around 71 minutes I’d be happy with.”

Advertisement

Mission accomplished

And posting on Instagram after the Nelson Mandela Bay race, she said: “Yew that hurt! Not my finest pacing but came away with a new half marathon PB 71:35.”

The splits show she completed the first 10km in a speedy 33:00 (3:18 per km) alongside internationals from Ethiopia and Kenya, before the pace dropped marginally with a 17:16 third 5km and 21:19 for the final 6.1km.

The high quality nature of the field was illustrated by the fact that despite that rapid time Emma just missed out on the top 10, finishing 11th female. The event carried World Athletics Elite Label status, attracting that strength in depth.

The race was won by Kenya’s Betty Chepkemoi in 1:08:34.

How does the time compare?

Emma Pallant-Browne World Duathlon champion 2023 photo credit Ben Lumley / World Triathlon
Pallant-Browne was crowned World Duathlon champion earlier this year [Photo credit Ben Lumley / World Triathlon]

Given her background as a previous European U23 cross-country champion and a world-class middle-distance runner, it’s no surprise she’s one of the quickest around in triathlon.

But she still has a little way to go to match 2016 Olympic gold medallist Gwen Jorgensen.

The American star retired from triathlon – though has now returned – to focus on running and clocked a 1:10:58 in the US Half Marathon Championships in 2018. Pallant-Browne’s time today – while in full triathlon training mode – is certainly impressive however.

In terms of triathlon half marathon times when following a swim and bike, Canada’s Tamara Jewett has set the bar high this season.

When winning IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside in April she stopped the clock at 1:12:59. And when runner-up to Pallant-Browne at Aix-en-Provence she registered 1:13:28.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Finish Line Kat Matthews Taylor Knibb
IRONMAN Texas: Start times, previews and how to watch live TODAY
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 Finish Line
Lionel Sanders chasing performance not money as he ditches IRONMAN Pro Series bid
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
Dave Ellis Luke Pollard gold PTVI Paralympics Paris 2024 photo credit Petko Beier
“Let’s not let this be the defining moment” – Luke Pollard on Tokyo heart break, Paris redemption and what it takes to be an elite paratriathlon guide
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
London Marathon 2025: What time will the “best runner in triathlon” do?
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...