Kejelcha breaks men's half marathon world record by 29 seconds

Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha set a new men’s half marathon world record on Sunday, slicing 29 seconds off the previous best in a commanding victory at the World Athletics road race in Buenos Aires.

Kejelcha, 29, crossed the finish line in 56 minutes 51 seconds, shattering Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo’s mark of 57 minutes 20 seconds set in Lisbon earlier this year. The new record is pending official ratification by World Athletics. Kejelcha had previously held the half marathon world record with a time of 57 minutes 30 seconds, set in Valencia in October 2024, before Kiplimo claimed the title in March.

Kejelcha is no stranger to global distance running. He earned silver in the 10,000 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and holds the world record in the men’s 5km road race. Earlier this year in London, he became one of the first men to run a sub-two-hour marathon in record-eligible conditions, finishing second behind Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe with a time of 1 hour 59 minutes 41 seconds—just 11 seconds behind Sawe’s winning time of 1:59:30.

Sunday’s performance in Buenos Aires further cements Kejelcha’s status as one of the most versatile long-distance runners on the planet. Competing in the World Athletics road race series, he delivered a tactical race, surging ahead in the final kilometers to secure a dominant lead. His performance underscores the rising competitiveness among East African distance athletes in the half marathon, a discipline increasingly becoming a proving ground for marathon talent.

World Athletics has confirmed that Kejelcha’s time will be submitted for ratification following standard verification procedures. If approved, it would be the second world record Kejelcha has set in the past year, following his 57:30 in Valencia.

The half marathon, once overshadowed by the marathon’s prestige, has grown in prominence due to its accessibility and the fast times produced in elite road races around the world. Kejelcha’s record-breaking run adds to a growing list of elite performances in the event, including recent marks by Kiplimo, Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, and Ethiopia’s Birhanu Balew.

For Kejelcha, the focus now shifts to future goals, including marathon and track ambitions. With a personal best of 12:46.59 in the 5000 meters and 26:10.07 in the 10,000 meters, he remains a versatile athlete capable of excelling across multiple disciplines.

Sports analysts suggest that Kejelcha’s record may inspire a new wave of sub-57-minute performances in the near future, as the event continues to attract top-tier talent from East Africa.

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