Ugandan’s Jacob Kiplimo made history on Sunday, becoming the first man to break the 57-minute barrier in the half-marathon. At the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona, Kiplimo clocked 56:42, shattering Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha‘s previous world record of 57:30, set in Valencia just months earlier, by an incredible 48 seconds. His performance marks the single greatest improvement in the men’s world half-marathon record.
24-year-old Kiplomo already had an impressive resume, including a world half-marathon title in 2020 and multiple World Cross Country Championships victories. He also holds an Olympic bronze medal in the 10,000m from the Tokyo Games and has consistently been a dominant force on the roads and track. Before reclaiming the half-marathon world record in Barcelona, he had previously set the mark in 2021 with a time of 57:31 in Lisbon, and held it until 2024 when Kejelcha briefly captured it.
Almost a minute ☠️
Jacob Kiplimo destroyed previous HM WR — 56:38 in Barcelona.
5 k — 13:34
10 k — 26:46
15 k — 39:46
20 k — 53:09
finish — 56:38 pic.twitter.com/qQRDfWwYg3— Konstantin Kan (@knstntn_kan) February 16, 2025
Perfect conditions, perfect execution
Racing in near-ideal conditions of 13°C with no wind, Kiplimo showed early on that he was on track for a race unlike any other. Although there had been no pre-race talk of a world record attempt, his recent 26:32 10km performance in Madrid hinted at his fitness. The pace was originally set for a 58-minute finish, but Kiplimo quickly took charge.
Breaking new barriers
As the race unfolded, Kiplimo passed the 5K mark in 13:34, already inside world record pace. He continued to pick up the pace, reaching 10K in 26:46 and setting a new world best of 40:07 for 15K along the way. Kiplimo ran through 20K in 53:42, before crossing the finish line in 56:42. Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya finished second in 58:44, while Samuel Mailu, also of Kenya, took third in 59:40.
What’s next for Kiplimo?
“It has been the perfect race,” said Kiplimo told media post-race. “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 kilometre, but I never imagined to perform under the 57-minute barrier, that’s astonishing.” Kiplimo added that he won’t be racing again until his much-anticipated marathon debut in London on April 27.
For complete results of the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona, head here.
