Runner Breaks Half Marathon Record at 57:20 in Lisbon

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo just ran 13.1 miles faster than anyone in history, crossing the finish line in Lisbon at 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

The 25-year-old runner reclaimed the half marathon world record on Sunday, beating the previous mark by 10 seconds. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha had held the record since 2024, but Kiplimo wasn't ready to let it go for long.

This marks the third time Kiplimo has made half marathon history on this same Lisbon course. He first set the world record here nearly three years ago with a time of 57:31, proving the Portuguese capital offers ideal racing conditions.

Kiplimo had actually run even faster last year in Barcelona, becoming the first person ever to break 57 minutes. However, World Athletics didn't count that record because officials ruled that a pacemaker gave him an unfair advantage during the race.

The Chicago Marathon champion knew he had something special brewing after the first 10 kilometers on Sunday. "After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible," Kiplimo told reporters after his historic run.

He dug deep in the final stretch, pushing his pace even harder when it mattered most. "I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometers," he said, his determination paying off in those crucial closing moments.

Why This Inspires

Kiplimo's story shows what persistence looks like at the highest level. After losing his record and then having another attempt disqualified, he could have been discouraged. Instead, he trained harder and came back to Portugal to prove himself all over again.

His achievement also highlights the incredible evolution of distance running. Just a few years ago, breaking 58 minutes seemed nearly impossible. Now athletes are chasing times that redefine human potential with each race.

Kiplimo's world record reminds us that setbacks are just setups for powerful comebacks.