Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha reclaimed the half marathon world record with a blistering run of 56 minutes and 51 seconds to win a World Athletics Label road race in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
The 29-year-old shaved 29 seconds off the previous record of 57:20 set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon in March. Kejelcha had set the previous record in October 2024 in Valencia, where he ran 57:30.
Kejelcha went through 10 kilometers in 27:19 before accelerating over the second half of the race. He reached 20 kilometres in 54:04 and completed the final kilometer in 2:32 to become the first athlete to officially break the 57-minute barrier.
Kejelcha was paced early on by Uganda’s Dillon Kipyeko and Kenya’s Brian Kipkore, who helped set an opening rhythm of around 2:45 per kilometer.
The performance came months after Kejelcha made headlines with a 1:59:40 marathon debut in London, the fastest marathon debut ever recorded.
Tadese Worku (59:20) and Bereket Nega (1:00:20) made sure it was an Ethiopian podium sweep, taking second and third places respectively.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay won in 1:03:57, her third-fastest career performance.
Kenya’s Nelvin Jepkemboi finished second in 1:05:06, followed by compatriot Catherine Amanang’ole in 1:05:11, giving Kenya two places on the women’s podium
