Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda broke the half marathon world record in Barcelona, finishing in 56:42, surpassing the former record by 48 seconds. Kiplimo also set a world best time for 15km at 39:47 during the event. His performance affirms his status as a top competitor in distance running.
Jacob Kiplimo, from Uganda, made history by becoming the first individual to complete a half marathon in under 57 minutes, shattering the existing world record by 48 seconds during a race in Barcelona. The 24-year-old finished his run with an impressive time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds, easily surpassing the previous record of 57 minutes and 30 seconds held by Ethiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha since October in Valencia.
Kiplimo’s achievement marks the most significant single improvement in the men’s half-marathon record. In a statement after the race, he expressed his excitement over his accomplishment, stating, “I am very excited about what I did today. I wanted to have a great race, but I didn’t expect to break the world record.” He explained the strategy behind his performance, noting his strong start and commitment to maintaining pace.
During the World Athletics event, Kiplimo also set a world record for the 15km distance, completing it in 39 minutes and 47 seconds. The race conditions were ideal, with temperatures at 13ºC and no wind, which contributed to the extraordinary performances. Following Kiplimo, Geoffrey Kamworor of Uganda secured second place with a time of 58 minutes and 44 seconds, while Kenyan athlete Samuel Mailu finished third in 59 minutes and 40 seconds.
In summary, Jacob Kiplimo’s groundbreaking performance in Barcelona not only established a new half marathon world record but also set a benchmark for future competitions. His remarkable finishing time and the ideal racing conditions facilitated this achievement, highlighting his determination and strategic approach during the race. This victory further cements Kiplimo’s status as one of the elite athletes in long-distance running.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
