Kiplimo of Uganda reclaims the world half marathon record in Lisbon

Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda reclaimed the world half marathon record on Sunday, achieving an impressive time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds in Lisbon.

The 25-year-old shaved 10 seconds off the previous world record, which was set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in 2024, reclaiming a title he last held in 2021 when he clocked 57:31 on the same Lisbon course.

Kiplimo nearly achieved an all-time best in Barcelona last year with a 56:42 run. Nonetheless, that performance was not approved by World Athletics because of unauthorized pacing assistance, which raises questions about the validity of the time and the conditions under which it was achieved.

Nicholas Kipkorir of Kenya crossed the finish line in a distant second place with a time of 58:08, while fellow countryman Gilbert Kiprotich claimed third place with a time of 58:59.

“I am thrilled to have set a new world record,” Kiplimo expressed. After the initial 10 km, I believed that breaking the world record was within reach. I made an effort to maintain the pace during the last two kilometers.