Olympian Deriba Merga of Ethiopia set the course ablaze, clocking 59.15 minutes, to set a new meet record and emerge the fastest half marathon runner of the year in the fourth Airtel Delhi [Images] Half Marathon on Sunday.

Deriba eclipsed the timing of timing of 60.43 minutes, set by last year's champion Dieudonne Disi of Rwanda, to bag the top prize US $25,000.

Kenyans Wilson Kipsang and Wilson Chebet finished second and third, clocking 59.16 minutes and 59.34m respectively, in the men's category. The earned US $15,000 and US $10,000 respectively for their efforts.

In the women's section, Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia emerged winner, registering a personal best timing of 68.17 minutes to pocket US $25,000.

Mergia's compatriot, Genet Getenet (68.18m,) finished second and Kenya's Peninah Arusei (68.20m) finished third.

Among Indians, Sandeep Kumar clocked 64.53m, eclipsing last year's winner Ram Singh Yadav's timing of 66.09m to pocket a prize of US $4000. Kashinath and Deep Chand clocked 64.58m and 65 minutes respectively to finish second and third in the Indian men's section.

In the Indian women's section, defending Indian champion Kavitha Raut retained her title, registering a personal best timing of 77.12m.

Meanwhile, Preethi L Rao (77.20m) and Sudha Singh (77.39m) finished second and third to bag US $3,000 and US $2,000 respectively.