Ugandan Athlete Kiplimo Smashes Half Marathon World Record

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo broke the World Half Marathon record with a time of 56 minutes and 41 seconds in Barcelona on Sunday, 49 seconds faster than the previous mark set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in October.

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Tw-time world cross country champion, Kiplimo’s run was the greatest single improvement on the men’s half marathon record, World Athletics said.

What just happened?

’s Jacob Kiplimo smashes the half marathon world record, flying to 56:42 at the Barcelona Half Marathon

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*Subject to usual ratification procedures pic.twitter.com/rNfhQxjOJc

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) February 16, 2025

“It has been the perfect race. Ideal temperature, no wind at all, fantastic circuit – everything went better than expected,” Kiplimo said.

“I found myself full of energy and decided to inject a brisker rhythm from the third kilometre, but I never imagined to perform under the 57-minute barrier, that’s astonishing. I won’t compete any more until my marathon debut in London on April 27.”