Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo produced a historic performance on Sunday, winning the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon in a new world record time of 57:20.
The three-time world cross-country champion returned to the race where he previously set a world record in 2021 and once again made history at the World Athletics Elite Label road race in Lisbon, Portugal.
Kiplimo’s time shaved 10 seconds off the previous official world record of 57:30 set by Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in 2024. Before Kejelcha’s record, Kiplimo held the mark at 57:31, which he also set in Lisbon five years ago.
Running in a race without pacemakers, Kiplimo started strongly, covering the first 5km in 13:28. Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich stayed close behind during the early stages as the leading trio passed the 10km mark in 27:00.
Kiprotich began to drop off the pace shortly after, leaving Kiplimo and Kipkorir running shoulder to shoulder through 15km in 40:52.
Sensing a slight slowdown, Kiplimo increased the pace and broke away from his rival, covering the next 5km stretch in 13:31. He maintained the strong tempo to the finish, crossing the line in a world record 57:20.
Kipkorir finished second in 58:08 while Kiprotich held on for third place in 58:59.
Kiplimo had previously run an even faster time of 56:42 in Barcelona last year, but the performance was not ratified as a world record because the race conditions did not fully comply with World Athletics regulations.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tsige Gebreselama successfully defended her title, winning in 1:04:48.
