Agnes Ngetich Shaves A Second Off The Women-Only Half Marathon World Record

Kenya's Agnes Ngetich has lowered the women-only half-marathon world record by one second, crossing the line in Copenhagen on Sunday in one hour, five minutes and 15 seconds to take the World Athletics Road Running Championships title.

Front-Running From The Gun

Ngetich, who set the women-only 10km world record last year, went to the front as soon as the race began under sunny skies in the Danish capital and never let anyone else take over. Compatriot Veronica Loleo finished second, 50 seconds adrift.

The Marks She Beat, And The One She Didn't

The previous women-only mark belonged to another Kenyan, Peres Jepchirchir, who set it on her way to the World Half Marathon title in 2020. The outright women's half-marathon record still stands to Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey, whose 1:02:52 from 2021 remains untouched.

A Season Of Titles

At 25, Ngetich is stacking up honors this year. Sunday's run added to a team half-marathon title she also collected in Copenhagen, and to the World Cross Country Championships she won back in January.