Ethiopia's Kejelcha breaks half marathon world record

Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia set a new world record in the half marathon at the Medio Maratón de Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich earlier today, finishing in 57:30. This achievement in the World Athletics Gold Label race saw the 27-year-old shave one second off the previous record set by Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon three years ago.

In his sixth race over this distance, Kejelcha, who holds the world indoor mile record, took charge early on, challenging the pace set by the pacemakers. Despite the light rain and cool 15°C conditions, the race began quickly, with the pacemakers reaching the first kilometre in 2:43. Kejelcha assumed the lead before the third kilometre, accompanied by fellow Ethiopian Selemon Barega and Kenyan runners Daniel Mateiko, Edward Cheserek, Weldon Langat, and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi.

The leading group, comprising six runners, crossed the 5km mark in 13:38, with Kejelcha leading. His determination soon whittled the pack down to three, as only Mateiko and Lasoi could keep pace. At the 10km mark, the trio was still on track for a course record with a split of 27:12. However, the pace slowed slightly, and a 13:44 split between 10km and 15km put the world record in doubt.

Recognizing the urgency, Kejelcha surged ahead, distancing himself from Mateiko and Lasoi to battle the clock alone. His effort paid off as he crossed the finish line in 57:30, breaking the world record by a second and improving his personal best by 11 seconds. Mateiko finished second with a new personal best of 58:17, while Lasoi took third in 58:21.

SO CLOSE 😤

🇪🇹's Yomif Kejelcha breaks the half marathon world record at the @MedioMaratonVLC 🔥

He clocks 57:30, 1 second faster than the previous mark held by Jacob Kiplimo. pic.twitter.com/9IkPwgyIaN

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 27, 2024

Ethiopian runner Gemechu Dida came fourth, clocking a personal best of 58:39, closely followed by Kenyan debutant Vincent Kibet Langat (58:41). Barega rounded out the top six, finishing in 58:57.

In the women’s race, Agnes Ngetich of Kenya narrowly missed breaking the world record but set the second-fastest time in history, finishing in 1:03:03. Competing in her first half marathon, the 25-year-old set a blistering pace, reaching 5km in 14:38 alongside Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye. By the 10km mark, Ngetich and Taye clocked 29:18, a time only three women have bettered over that distance. However, Taye began to lose ground, and Ngetich continued with her pacers.

Despite a slowdown in the final stages, Ngetich maintained her lead, crossing the finish line in 1:03:04. Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia finished second with a time of 1:03:21, while Lilian Rengeruk of Kenya took third in 1:03:32. Taye finished fourth with a time of 1:04:14, a remarkable result for her half marathon debut.

Leading Results

Women

1. Agnes Ngetich (KEN) - 1:03:04
2. Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) - 1:03:21
3. Lilian Rengeruk (KEN) - 1:03:32
4. Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) - 1:04:14
5. Tsige Gebreselama (ETH) - 1:05:18
6. Sheila Chelangat (KEN) - 1:06:08
7. Jesca Chelangat (KEN) - 1:06:13
8. Viola Chepngeno (KEN) - 1:06:55

Men

1. Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) - 57:30
2. Daniel Mateiko (KEN) - 58:17
3. Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) - 58:21
4. Gemechu Dida (ETH) - 58:39
5. Vincent Langat (KEN) - 58:41
6. Selemon Barega (ETH) - 58:57
7. Birhanu Balew (BRN) - 59:41
8. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) - 59:42