Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo smashes world half marathon record in Barcelona
His blistering run shattered the previous record of 57:30 set by Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha in 2024 by a staggering 49 seconds, the largest single improvement in the record's history.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo delivered a historic performance at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona, setting a new world half marathon record of 56:41 on Sunday (16).
"Jacob Kiplimo has become the first man ever to run the half marathon under 57 minutes, running 56:42 in Barcelona! The previous record was 57:30 by Yomif Kejelcha from 2024," as seen in the Track and Field Gazette X account.
His blistering run shattered the previous record of 57:30 set by Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha in 2024 by a staggering 49 seconds, the largest single improvement in the record's history.
"With that impressive performance, the 24-year-old two-time world cross country champion improved on Yomif Kejelcha's previous world record of 57:30 by 49 seconds – the greatest single improvement on the men's world half marathon record," read in part of the World Athletics communication.
Kiplimo, a two-time world cross-country champion, became the first man ever to break the 57-minute barrier for the half marathon. He also set a world best of 39:47 for 15km during his record-breaking run.
Racing under ideal conditions, 13ºC and no wind, Kiplimo displayed sheer determination and endurance, rewriting athletics history. The 24-year-old's incredible feat in Barcelona cements his legacy as one of the greatest long-distance runners of his generation.
"Racing in ideal weather conditions of 13ºC with no wind, Kiplimo became the first athlete to break 57 minutes for the distance and also set a world best of 39:47 for 15km en route to his world half marathon record."
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