The Ugandan runner took the world mark over 13.1 miles after beating Yomif Kejelcha’s previous record by 10 seconds.
Jacob Kiplimo showed great form ahead of the TCS London Marathon in April, breaking the half marathon world record in Portugal on Sunday (March 8).
The Ugandan clocked 57:20 at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, the same course where he set the 2021 world record of 57:31.
The three-time world champion ran 56:42 in the Barcelona half marathon last year, but it was later disqualified because the pace car was deemed too close in front of him and to benefit from the wind.
Since his Barcelona mark 12 months ago was deemed ineligible, it meant Kiplimo surpassed Yomif Keelcha’s official world record of 57:30 from Valencia in 2024.
His splits included 27:00 over 10km, with the fastest 5km splits of the race being the opening leg of 13:28 and the 15-20km leg which he ran in 13:31. This time too there were no pacemakers and the lead car kept a safe distance ahead.
Kenyans Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich came close for the Ugandans in the first half, but Kiprotich started to fade. Kiplimo and Kipkorir then ran together until 15km when Kiplimo started to draw clear.
After Kiplimo, “Kipkorir” followed with a score of 58:08, and Kiprotich took third place with a score of 58:59.
“I’m so happy to break the world record,” Kiplimo said. “After the first 10km I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep up the pace in the last two kilometers.”
Ethiopia’s Tsige Gebreselama won the women’s race in 64:48, repeating the victory she enjoyed in Lisbon 12 months ago.
