Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo etched his name into the history books, becoming the first person ever to break the 57-minute barrier in the half-marathon, Al Jazeera reports.
The 24-year-old unleashed a breathtaking performance at the World Athletics Gold Label road race in Barcelona, stopping the clock at an incredible 56 minutes and 42 seconds.
Kiplimo’s record-breaking run reclaims the title he previously held from 2021 to 2024 and marks the most significant single improvement on the men’s world half-marathon record ever. He sliced a staggering 48 seconds off the previous record of 57:30, set just last October by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia.
In near-perfect racing conditions, with a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) and calm winds, Kiplimo also achieved a world-best time of 39:47 for the 15km mark along the route, showcasing his remarkable consistency and speed.
“I am very excited about what I did today,” Kiplimo commented after the race.
The two-time world cross-country champion, who made his Olympic debut at the tender age of 15 in the 5,000m race at the Rio Olympics, has solidified his position as one of the world’s leading distance runners with this stunning display of athleticism.
