The Ugandan sensation outpaced history, clocking a breathtaking 56:42 and setting a new global standard.
Jacob Kiplimo delivered a phenomenal performance at the Edreams Barcelona Half Marathon, making history with an astonishing world record.
The Ugandan athlete entered the race with high expectations, aiming to challenge the benchmark set by Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia (57:30).
Kiplimo had previously held the world record for the half marathon, setting it at 57:31 in Lisbon in 2021.
However, what unfolded on this February morning in Barcelona, under ideal racing conditions, was nothing short of extraordinary.
The relentless progression of road racing continues, with world records falling at an unprecedented rate.
Kiplimo stopped the clock at an incredible 56:42, becoming the first human to complete the half marathon in under 57 minutes.
His split times were jaw-dropping: 13:34 at 5K, 26:46 at 10K, 39:45 at 15K, and 53:09 at 20K.
The Ugandan, who trains alongside Joshua Cheptegei, is shaping the future of long-distance running, excelling both on the track and on the road.
“I’m incredibly emotional about what I achieved today,” Kiplimo shared after crossing the finish line near Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella.
“I started strong, aiming for a great race, but I didn’t expect to break the world record.” He explained that his strategy involved pushing hard in the first two kilometers to drop his competitors. “As the race progressed and I saw I was on record pace, I kept telling myself to hold that rhythm no matter what.”
In the women’s category, Joyciline Jepkosgei successfully defended her title, clocking 1:04:11 and setting a new course record in the process.
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