Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo became the first individual to complete a half marathon in under 57 minutes, smashing the world record by 48 seconds in Barcelona.
The 24-year-old clocked 56 minutes and 42 seconds, surpassing Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha’s previous world-best of 57:30, established in Valencia in October.
Kiplimo’s timing marks the most significant single enhancement of the men’s world half-marathon record.
“I am extremely thrilled with what I accomplished today,” said the former 10,000m Olympic and World Championships bronze medallist.
“I aimed to deliver an excellent performance, but I didn’t anticipate breaking the world record.
“I began very powerfully in the initial two kilometres to distance myself from my competitors. As the kilometres progressed and I noticed I was maintaining record-breaking speed, I told myself that I must sustain this pace regardless of the effort required.”
He also achieved a world-best of 39:47 for 15km during the World Athletics competition, which took place in ideal conditions of 13ºC with no wind.
Kiplimo’s fellow Ugandan Geoffrey Kamworor secured second place (58:44), followed by Kenya’s Samuel Mailu (59:40).
