Ethiopian Runner Yomif Kejelcha Breaks Half-Marathon Record

Yomif Kejelcha crossed the finish line in Buenos Aires on Sunday and rewrote the history books. The Ethiopian runner clocked 56 minutes and 51 seconds in the half-marathon, becoming the first athlete ever to officially break the 57-minute barrier.

The achievement knocked nearly half a minute off the previous world record of 57:20, which Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo set just five months earlier in March. Kejelcha wasn't just chasing any record. He was reclaiming his own title after Kiplimo briefly took it from him.

Kejelcha set his first world record in Valencia in October 2024 with a time of 57:30. When Kiplimo beat that mark earlier this year, the Ethiopian knew he had more to give.

"I felt strong from the middle of the race and knew the record was within reach," Kejelcha said after his victory at the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Before the race, he told World Athletics he planned to run under 58 minutes, but even that goal seemed conservative once he hit his stride.

The 29-year-old pushed a relentless pace from the starting gun. He passed the 15-kilometer mark in just 40 minutes and 41 seconds, then pulled away for a comfortable solo finish that left no doubt about his dominance.

The Ripple Effect

Kejelcha's record shows what happens when athletes refuse to accept limits. His breakthrough comes after years of competing in shorter distances, including the 5,000 and 10,000-meter categories where he built his speed and endurance.

In April 2026, he made his marathon debut at the London Marathon and finished in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds. That made him the fastest marathon debutant in history, proving his talent translates across distances.

"I had planned to run conservatively over the early stages, but I felt good and decided to give it my all," Kejelcha explained after the race. "This time is unbelievable. I can't describe it with words."

His performance inspires a new generation of distance runners across Africa and beyond, showing that barriers exist only until someone dares to break through them.