Runner Smashes Half Marathon Record by 29 Seconds

The battle for the fastest half marathon just got even faster, and Yomif Kejelcha is back on top.

Racing through the streets of Buenos Aires this Sunday, the 28-year-old Ethiopian crossed the finish line in 56:51, shattering the previous world record by 29 seconds. He took back the title from Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, who had set the mark of 57:20 in Lisbon just five months earlier.

This isn't Kejelcha's first time holding the record. He originally claimed it in Valencia in October 2024 with a 57:30, only to watch Kiplimo steal it away. The two runners have been locked in a friendly rivalry, pushing each other to new heights.

Kiplimo actually ran even faster last year with a 56:42 in Barcelona, but that time didn't count as an official record because the course didn't meet World Athletics regulations. Now Kejelcha's Buenos Aires performance stands as the official fastest time in history.

Why This Inspires

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the incredible season Kejelcha is having. He already holds the world 10K record after running 26:31 in Spain last year. That alone would be a career-defining achievement.

But earlier this year in London, he made history in his very first marathon. Kejelcha finished in 1:59:41, the fastest marathon debut ever recorded. He placed second to Kenya's Sabastian Sawe, who won in 1:59:30.

Together, they became the first runners to officially break the two-hour barrier in a record-eligible race. For years, breaking two hours seemed impossible. Now two athletes did it in the same race.

This moment represents more than just athletic achievement. It shows what happens when talented people push each other to reach higher. Kejelcha and Kiplimo aren't just competitors. They're collaborators in human possibility, proving that yesterday's impossible becomes today's achievable.

The record belongs to Kejelcha again, but given this rivalry's history, it might not stay his for long.