Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo shattered the men’s half marathon world record, clocking an unprecedented 56 minutes and 41 seconds.
This remarkable feat on Sunday, February 16, 2025, saw the 24-year-old obliterate the previous record by a staggering 49 seconds, marking the most significant single improvement in the event’s history.
This took place in an historic performance at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks, Athletics Weekly reports.
Kiplimo’s previous world record of 57:31, set in Lisbon in 2021, was surpassed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who recorded 57:30 in Valencia in October 2024.
Determined to reclaim his title, Kiplimo delivered an extraordinary performance in Barcelona, becoming the first athlete to break the 57-minute barrier in the half marathon.
Competing under ideal conditions—13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) with no wind—Kiplimo maintained a blistering average pace of approximately 2:41 per kilometre.
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En route to his record-breaking finish, he also set a world best of 39:47 for the 15 km mark.
Reflecting on his achievement, Kiplimo expressed his elation: “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 the race progressed and he realized he was on record pace, he remained resolute: “As the kilometres passed and I saw that I was going at record pace, I told myself that I had to maintain that pace no matter what it took.”
Kiplimo’s versatility across disciplines is well-documented. He is a two-time World Cross Country champion (2023 and 2024) and secured a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
His latest accomplishment in Barcelona not only reaffirms his dominance in long-distance running but also sets a new benchmark for future athletes.
