Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo regained the half-marathon world record on Sunday, storming to victory in a stunning time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds in Lisbon.
The 25-year-old shaved 10 seconds off the previous world record, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in 2024. Kiplimo last held the record in 2021, when he clocked 57:31 on the same Lisbon course.
Kiplimo had come close to an all-time best in Barcelona last year with a 56:42 run. However, that performance was not ratified by World Athletics due to illegal pacing assistance. Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir finished a distant second in 58:08, with compatriot Gilbert Kiprotich securing third place in 58:59.
“I’m so happy to break the world record,” Kiplimo, an Olympic bronze medalist in the 10,000m, said. “After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometres.”
The world record continues a strong 12 months for Kiplimo. He came second in the 2025 London Marathon and won last year’s Chicago Marathon.
Ethopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama won the women’s race in a time of 1:04:48.