Ugandan long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo has etched his name into the record books once again, becoming the first man to complete a half-marathon in under 57 minutes.
The 24-year-old delivered a stunning performance at a road race in Barcelona on Sunday, crossing the finish line in 56 minutes and 41 seconds. His blistering pace shattered the previous world record of 57:30, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia last year.
An elated Kiplimo admitted that the record-breaking feat had taken him by surprise. “I’m so grateful. I’m very excited about what I did today,” he said. “I didn’t expect to break the record because I just came here to run a good race. But I am happy I have broken the world record.”
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World Athletics confirmed that Kiplimo’s time marked the biggest improvement ever recorded in the men’s half-marathon event. His achievement was aided by near-perfect race conditions—cool temperatures of 13 degrees Celsius and a wind-free course, allowing him to maintain a relentless pace from start to finish.
Kiplimo, who secured a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, has further cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s elite distance runners. His latest triumph not only rewrites the history books but also raises the bar for future competitors aiming to push the limits of endurance running.
