Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo smashed the world half marathon record with a blistering time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds in Barcelona on Sunday, shaving 48 seconds off the previous record.
Kiplimo improved on Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha’s previous world record of 57:30 – which was set in October in Valencia – making the greatest single improvement on the men’s world half marathon record.
Following his terrific display at the World Athletics Gold Label road race, the 24-year-old long-distance runner becomes the first person to break the 57-minute barrier for the half-marathon.
The World Athletics website said the Ugandan benefited from ideal weather conditions of 13 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit) with no wind.
“It has been the perfect race,” Kiplimo, the two-time world cross-country champion, said. “Ideal temperature, no wind at all, fantastic circuit – everything went better than expected.
“The pacemaker set the agreed 2:45 pace but I found myself full of energy and decided to inject a brisker rhythm from the third kilometer, but I never imagined to perform under the 57-minute barrier, that’s astonishing,” he added.
Kiplimo, who won a bronze medal in 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Olympics in 202, also set a world best of 40:07 for 15km enroute to his world half marathon record. He said post-race he will not compete until his marathon debut in April in London.
Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor finished as the runner-up in 58:44 while his compatriot Samwel Mailu completed the podium in 59:40.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s former world record-holder Joyciline Jepkosgei triumphed with a lifetime best of 1:04:13 to retain her title in a course record and move to seventh on the world all-time list.
Jepkosgei managed a career-best by 16 seconds to take back-to-back titles in Barcelona, while compatriot Gladys Chepkurui was a distant second in 1:06:25 to Ethiopian Alemtsehay Zerihun’s third place in 1:08:19.
“It’s my third year in a row competing here in Barcelona,” said Jepkosgei. “I managed a runner-up place and two wins so I’m more than satisfied. In addition, I have bettered my PB which was not easy so I can’t ask for more and hope to return next year.
“I’m also impressed by Kiplimo’s great achievement,” she added.
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