LISBON, Portugal — Ugandan long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo set a new men’s half-marathon world record on Sunday after winning the Lisbon Half Marathon in 57 minutes and 20 seconds.
The record-breaking run lowered the previous mark of 57:30, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, by 10 seconds.
The race was held without pacemakers, making Kiplimo’s performance even more remarkable.
Strong start and decisive finish
Kiplimo took control of the race early, clocking 13:28 at the 5-kilometre mark.
Kenyan runners Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich stayed close during the opening stages.
The trio reached 10 kilometres in 27:00, but Kiprotich soon began to fall behind as Kiplimo and Kipkorir continued pushing the pace.
At 15 kilometres, the leading pair passed the mark in 40:52.
Noticing a slight drop in pace, Kiplimo accelerated over the next stretch, covering the following 5 kilometres in 13:31 before maintaining his speed to the finish line.
Dominant victory
Kiplimo crossed the line 48 seconds ahead of Kipkorir, who finished second in 58:08.
Kiprotich completed the podium in 58:59.
“I’m so happy to break the world record. After the first 10km, I thought it was possible. I tried to keep pushing in the final two kilometres,” Kiplimo said.
A return to the record books
The new time marks Kiplimo’s second officially ratified half-marathon world record.
He previously held the record of 57:31, which he set on the same course in 2021.
His performance also follows a 56:42 run in Barcelona last year, which was not ratified under World Athletics rules due to non-compliant race conditions.
Women’s race
In the women’s competition, Ethiopia’s Tsige Gebreselama successfully defended her title, finishing in 1:04:48.
She narrowly beat a strong Kenyan field featuring:
- Janeth Chepngetich
- Regina Wambui
- Tabitha Njeri
Ethiopia’s Girmawit Gebrzihair finished fifth in 1:07:30.
The Lisbon Half Marathon attracts more than 30,000 runners annually, making it one of the largest and fastest half-marathons in the world.
