Download our Free 8-Week Plan here →
News

French Runner Mohammed El Yamani, 61, Breaks 60–64 Marathon World Record in Seville

February 26, 2026
By
Anna F.

Mohammed El Yamani, 61, shattered the men’s 60–64 marathon world record in Seville with a 2:28:28, slicing 1:34 off Tommy Hughes’ 2020 mark an extraordinary comeback after two injury-hit years away from running.

​​Mohammed El Yamani has set a new world record in the men’s 60–64 age group, running 2:28:28 at the Zurich Maratón de Sevilla on February 15.

​The time takes one minute and 34 seconds off the previous record of 2:30:02, set in 2020 by Irish Olympian Tommy Hughes.

​El Yamani, 61, finished 145th overall in a competitive field. The result came in his first marathon in three years.

​Mohammed El Yamani (Credit: Zurich Maratón de Sevilla)

​In a message shared on social media, he said the performance followed two years without running due to multiple injuries, including gluteal tendonitis and two vertebral fractures. His previous marathon was the Tokyo Marathon, where he ran 2:31:21.

​El Yamani has pursued age-group records for years. In 2021, he ran 2:26:56 at the Valencia Marathon at age 57, setting a French age-group record and narrowly missing a world best. Over his career, he has also held national records in distances ranging from 3,000 meters to the marathon.

​He began running at 31 and has combined high-level training with full-time work and family life. His latest performance in Seville is the fastest marathon ever recorded in his age category.

You Might Also Like

12 Things No One Tells You About Running

New to running (or returning) and surprised it feels awful at first? These 12 rarely mentioned lessons cover the real stuff gear costs, hunger, bad runs, weather, feet issues, and why you might still end up hooked.

Harry Styles Breaks Three Hours at Berlin Marathon, Finishes Among Top 5% of 48,000 Runners

Harry Styles stunned marathon fans in Berlin 2025, running 2:59:13 under an alias and finishing 2,245th out of 48,000+

Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai Wins 2026 Paris Half Marathon as 50,000 Runners Fill the Streets

Paris welcomed 50,000 runners for the 2026 Paris Half Marathon, with Kennedy Kimutai and Ftaw Zeray taking the wins as crowds cheered along the Seine and through the Bois de Vincennes.

LA Marathon Allows Runners to Finish at 18 Miles Due to Heat Forecast

Los Angeles Marathon organizers are adding a heat-safety option: if race-day temperatures climb too high, runners may stop just after mile 18 and still receive a finisher medal. With forecasts rising from 12–13°C at the 7 a.m. start to 25–27°C by midday, the McCourt Foundation says the goal is preventing dangerous heat illness.

Jacob Kiplimo Sets New Half Marathon World Record with 57:20 in Lisbon

Jacob Kiplimo just rewrote the half-marathon record books in Lisbon, storming to a 57:20 victory without pacemakers, outkicking Nicholas Kipkorir late as Tsigie Gebreselama defended her women’s title in dominant fashion.

Study Finds Vitamin D Helps Maintain Immune Health, but Does Not Improve Running Performance

Vitamin D can help runners hold onto healthy levels through the dark winter months, and may support immune markers, but this new study found it doesn’t translate into better performance like VO₂max, power, or strength.