Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has made history by being the first person to finish the half-marathon in less than 57 minutes. In Barcelona on Sunday, the 24-year-old Ugandan set an incredible new world record time of 56 minutes, 42 seconds.
At the World Athletics Gold Label road race, Kiplimo, a two-time world cross-country champion and previous half-marathon record holder (2021–2024), triumphantly recaptured the championship. Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia established the previous mark of 57:30 in Valencia in October, but he destroyed it by an astounding 48 seconds. In terms of the men’s global half-marathon record, this is the biggest single improvement ever noted.
Operating in perfect conditions, with no wind and a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit), Kiplimo also set a world best of 39:47 for 15km (9.3 miles) en route to his record-breaking half-marathon time.
“I am very excited about what I did today,” said Kiplimo, who made his Olympic debut in the 5,000m race in Rio de Janeiro at the young age of 15. “I started strong, I wanted to have a great race, but I didn’t expect to break the world record. As the kilometres passed and I saw that I was going at record pace, I told myself that I had to maintain that pace no matter what it took.”
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About Jacob Kiplimo
Jacob Kiplimo, born on November 14, 2000, is a remarkable Ugandan long-distance runner who has made significant strides in the world of athletics. His career is marked by numerous accolades and impressive performances on both national and international stages. Kiplimo’s journey began early, as he represented Uganda at the 2016 Rio Olympics at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest Olympian in the country’s history. This early exposure to elite competition laid the groundwork for his future successes.
Kiplimo’s achievements include winning bronze medals in the 10,000 meters at both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Athletics Championships. His prowess in long-distance events was further showcased when he claimed gold medals in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Additionally, he secured a silver medal at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships and followed it up with a gold medal at the 2023 edition of the same event, solidifying his status as one of the top athletes in cross country running.
In terms of records, Kiplimo holds the Ugandan national record for the 3000 meters, highlighting his versatility across various distances. His performance in the 2019 World Cross Country Championships was particularly noteworthy; he finished second in the senior men’s race while also leading his team to a gold medal in the team ranking.
The year 2020 marked a pivotal moment in Kiplimo’s career as he won a Diamond League 3000-meter race in Rome and emerged victorious at the Half Marathon World Championship in Gdynia, Poland. Notably, he set both a Ugandan record and a championship record during this event. He continued to demonstrate his exceptional talent at the 2020 Valencia Half Marathon, finishing second with an impressive time of 57:37 in a race where all top competitors broke the previous world record.
Kiplimo’s resilience was evident in 2021 when he won the Campaccio cross country race in San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy, despite experiencing a fall during the competition. His determination and competitive spirit have been key factors in his success.
Most recently, in 2023, Kiplimo added another gold medal to his collection by winning the 10-kilometer race at the World Cross Country Championships held in Bathurst, Australia. With his impressive track record and continued dedication to the sport, Jacob Kiplimo has firmly established himself as one of the leading figures in long-distance running, inspiring many aspiring athletes in Uganda and beyond.
Source: Al Jazeera
