Uganda's Kiplimo Breaks Half-Marathon Record
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo reclaimed the world half-marathon record in Lisbon, clocking 57 minutes and 20 seconds—ten seconds faster than Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha's 2024 record in Valencia. The 25-year-old Kiplimo was the previous record holder and continues dominating long-distance running.
This was a redemption run for Jacob Kiplimo, who had a faster time of 56:42 at the Barcelona Half Marathon last year invalidated. World Athletics ruled that the lead pace car had provided an illegal pacing advantage, erasing what would have been the first sub-57 minute half-marathon. The Lisbon course is notoriously fast and has a history of record-breaking performances. The flat course starts on the 25 de Abril Bridge and finishes near the Jerónimos Monastery, making it a favorite for elite runners seeking personal bests. Kiplimo himself set his previous world record of 57:31 on this same course in 2021. In this record-breaking performance, Kiplimo ran without the aid of official pacemakers. He and two Kenyan runners, Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich, pushed the pace early, hitting the 10-kilometer mark in 27:00. Kiplimo made a decisive move after the 15-kilometer mark, pulling away to finish well ahead of Kipkorir, who came in second with a time of 58:08. This achievement solidifies the 25-year-old's position at the top of men's distance running. Beyond the half-marathon, Kiplimo is a three-time World Cross Country champion and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
