Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has set a new half-marathon world record by finishing in 56:42, becoming the first man to run under 57 minutes. This record surpasses the previous best by 48 seconds. Kiplimo continues to build on an impressive athletic career and plans to debut in the marathon in April 2025.
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda made history by becoming the first runner to break the 57-minute mark in the half-marathon, clocking an impressive 56:42 at the eDreams Mitja Marató in Barcelona. This performance eclipsed Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha’s previous record of 57:30, set mere months prior, thus marking the largest improvement in the half-marathon world record in men’s history.
At just 24 years old, Kiplimo has an exemplary athletic background, including a half-marathon title from 2020 and several victories in World Cross Country Championships. He also won an Olympic bronze in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Games. Before his latest record-breaking performance, he previously held the half-marathon record with a time of 57:31, set in 2021.
On race day, Kiplimo faced excellent conditions, with a temperature of 13°C and minimal wind. Despite a lack of pre-race discussions about a record attempt, his recent 10km performance hinted at his strong form, and he quickly took the lead in the race, which was initially paced for a finish around 58 minutes.
As Kiplimo progressed through the race, he marked 5K in 13:34 and 10K in 26:46, exceeding the world record pace. He reached the 15K distance in a new best time of 40:07 and entered the final stretch with 20K completed in 53:42, finishing triumphantly at 56:42.
Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor claimed second place in 58:44, while fellow Kenyan Samuel Mailu finished third at 59:40. Reflecting on his extraordinary performance, Kiplimo remarked, “It has been the perfect race. Ideal temperature, no wind at all, fantastic circuit—everything went better than expected.”
Looking ahead, Kiplimo noted that he plans to focus on his marathon debut, scheduled for London on April 27, before competing again. His remarkable achievement in Barcelona sets a new benchmark for half-marathon runners around the globe.
Jacob Kiplimo’s groundbreaking achievement in Barcelona sets a new standard in the half-marathon, as he becomes the first to complete the race in under 57 minutes. His record-breaking time of 56:42 not only surpasses the previous mark by an astonishing 48 seconds but also emphasizes his status as a leading figure in long-distance running. As he prepares for his marathon debut, Kiplimo’s career continues to reach new heights.
Original Source: runningmagazine.ca
