Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo stormed to a half-marathon world record in Lisbon on Sunday, clocking 57 minutes and 20 seconds to shave ten seconds off the previous mark set by Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha in 2024.
The 25-year-old, who last held the record in 2021 with 57:31 on the same course, came close to an all-time best in Barcelona last year with a 56:42 run that was not ratified due to illegal pacing assistance. Kenya's Nicholas Kipkorir finished second in 58:08, with compatriot Gilbert Kiprotich third in 58:59.
“I'm so happy to break the world record,” said Kiplimo, an Olympic bronze medallist in the 10,000m. “After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometres.”
The record caps a strong 12 months for Kiplimo, who came second in the 2025 London Marathon and won last year's Chicago Marathon. In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tsigie Gebreselama won in 1:04:48.
