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Yomif Kejelcha Breaks Men’s Half-Marathon World Record in Buenos Aires

8/23/2026

45 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Yomif Kejelcha reclaimed the men’s half-marathon world record in Buenos Aires with 56:51.
Jacob Kiplimo’s 56:42 Barcelona 2025 performance was not ratified due to rule-violating conditions.
Kejelcha’s time beat Kiplimo’s 57:20 mark by 29 seconds.
Fotyen Tesfay won the women’s race in 1:03:57.
Tesfay’s March marathon debut in Barcelona recorded 2:10:53, the fastest female debut ever.

History

Historical Context

Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia ran 58:55 to claim the first officially ratified men’s half-marathon world record in January 2006, after World Athletics began recognizing road records in 2004. The mark stood until Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha posted 56:51 in Buenos Aires on 23 August 2026, overtaking Jacob Kiplimo’s unratified 56:42 from February 2025, prompting World Athletics to tighten elevation limits to 1 % in 2026.

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Story summary

Yomif Kejelcha reclaimed the men’s half-marathon world record in Buenos Aires with 56:51.
Jacob Kiplimo’s 56:42 Barcelona 2025 performance was not ratified due to rule-violating conditions.
Kejelcha’s time beat Kiplimo’s 57:20 mark by 29 seconds.
Fotyen Tesfay won the women’s race in 1:03:57.
Tesfay’s March marathon debut in Barcelona recorded 2:10:53, the fastest female debut ever.

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