Kenya's Mozes Kiporo Kibire was the winner of the 4th Banja Luka Half Marathon, which took place on Saturday.

Kibire said after crossing the finish line that the race was great despite the heat.

“I am enjoying my stay in Banja Luka, which is an amazing city,” said the race winner.

Bernard Muinde Matheka finished second and Stanley Kipruto third.

Winner of the women's race was Kenya's Christine Oigo Moraa, who won in 2016 too but improved her time in the 2018 race.

The race organizer Vladimir Selec said he was satisfied with the growing number of runners in the city, particularly in this annual race.

“There were ten of us running in the park five years ago and today more than 10,000 participants ran in the Banja Luka Half Marathon. We are thrilled indeed,” said Selec.

Some 7,000 runners took part in three different races on Saturday, of which some 2,000 ran the half marathon distance and the rest took part in the half marathon relay and a 4-kilometre fun run.