Kiplimo Reclaims Half Marathon Record
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo just reclaimed the world half marathon record with a stunning 57:20 at the Lisbon Half Marathon — shaving 10 seconds off the previous mark. This returns the record to Kiplimo, who previously lost it due to a ruling of "unauthorized assistance." The performance is pending ratification but reasserts his status as the preeminent half marathoner of his generation.
The now-invalidated time of 56:42 that Jacob Kiplimo ran in Barcelona in February 2025 would have shattered the previous world record by 48 seconds. However, World Athletics did not ratify the record due to the belief that he benefited from the slipstream of the lead car. This ruling meant the official record remained at 57:30, set by Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in 2024. Lisbon has proven to be a special venue for Kiplimo, as he previously set a world record of 57:31 on the same course in 2021. The Lisbon Half Marathon is known for its flat and fast course, which starts on the 25 de Abril Bridge and follows the River Tagus, making it a popular location for elite athletes seeking personal bests. In his record-breaking run, Kiplimo ran without the aid of official pacemakers. He and two Kenyan runners, Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich, went through the 10-kilometer mark in 27:00 before Kiplimo pulled away after 15 kilometers. Kipkorir finished a distant second in 58:08, with Kiprotich third in 58:59. This performance is the latest in a series of major achievements for the 25-year-old Ugandan. He is a three-time world cross-country champion and has won bronze medals in the 10,000 meters at both the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Next on the agenda for the new world record holder is the London Marathon.
