Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda set a new men’s half marathon world record of 56:41 on February 16, 2025, at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona, surpassing the previous record by 49 seconds. He also recorded a world-best mark of 39:47 for the 15 km. Kiplimo’s performance solidifies his status as a leading athlete in his discipline.
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has shattered the world record for the men’s half marathon, completing the race in a groundbreaking 56 minutes and 41 seconds on February 16, 2025. This achievement occurred during the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona and represents an improvement of 49 seconds over the prior record. His performance marks the largest single leap in half marathon history.
Previously, Kiplimo set the record of 57:31 in Lisbon in 2021, which was briefly held by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who clocked 57:30 in Valencia in October 2024. Kiplimo’s historic run established him as the first athlete to finish a half marathon in under 57 minutes. He achieved this under optimal weather conditions of 13 degrees Celsius and no wind, averaging 2:41 per kilometer.
During his record-breaking run, Kiplimo set a world best for the 15 km distance at 39:47. Reflecting on his achievement, he stated, “I am very excited about what I did today. I started strong; I wanted to have a great race, but I didn’t expect to break the world record.” As he progressed, he focused on maintaining his record pace, saying, “As the kilometres passed… I told myself that I had to maintain that pace no matter what it took.”
In addition to his latest accomplishment, Kiplimo is a two-time World Cross Country champion and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. His success in Barcelona underscores his dominance in long-distance running and sets a new standard for upcoming athletes.
Other athletes also showcased their talents during the event: Geoffrey Kamworor from Kenya finished second with a time of 58:44, while his compatriot Samuel Mailu secured third at 59:40. In the women’s race, Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei set a course record at 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 13 seconds.
Kiplimo’s record-breaking performance in Barcelona not only demonstrates his exceptional talent in long-distance running but also establishes a new benchmark for future competitors. His ability to excel under pressure and his strategic pacing contributed to this historic achievement, further enhancing his status within the athletics community.
Original Source: punchng.com
