Ugandan long-distance sensation Jacob Kiplimo made history on February 16 at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks, setting a new world half marathon record of 56:41*.
The World Athletics Gold Label road race witnessed an extraordinary display of endurance and speed as Kiplimo obliterated the previous record by an astonishing 49 seconds.
The 24-year-old two-time world cross country champion surpassed Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha’s previous mark of 57:30, achieving the most significant single improvement in the men's world half marathon record.
Racing under perfect conditions of 13ºC with no wind, Kiplimo became the first athlete ever to break the 57-minute barrier for the distance. Along the way, he also set a world best of 39:47 for 15km.
In a congratulatory message, First Lady and Minister of Sports and Education Janet Museveni said: "I join Mzee in congratulating you, @jacobkiplimo2, on your phenomenal achievement at the Barcelona Half Marathon. May God bless you, and may your dedication and discipline continue to inspire both Uganda and Africa. Well done, Jacob!!"
President Yoweri Museveni also praised Kiplimo’s remarkable feat: "Hearty congratulations to Jacob Kiplimo, who has this morning broken the world half marathon record in Barcelona with a time of 56 minutes and 41 seconds."
Kiplimo’s dominant performance saw him finish well ahead of Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor, who placed second in 58:44, while Samwel Mailu secured third in 59:40. The Ugandan’s record-breaking run further cements his status as one of the most formidable distance runners globally.
This achievement serves as a major confidence boost for Kiplimo as he prepares for his full marathon debut at the London Marathon on April 27.
The young star is no stranger to world records, having previously set a world half marathon record in Lisbon in 2021 with a time of 57:31 before Kejelcha later eclipsed it.