Full Breakdown
Yomif Kejelcha Reclaims the Half-Marathon World Record in Buenos Aires
8/23/2026, 9:54:01 PM
Record-Breaking Performance
On August 23, 2026, Ethiopian distance runner Yomif Kejelcha finished the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires in 56 minutes 51 seconds, lowering the men’s half-marathon world record by 29 seconds. The time surpasses the previous mark of 57 minutes 20 seconds set by Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda in Lisbon earlier that year. World Athletics notes that Kejelcha’s result is pending ratification.
Background and Recent Record History
Kejelcha first set the half-marathon record with a 57:30 run in Valencia in October 2024. Kiplimo later improved it to 57:20 in Lisbon, while his faster 56:42 in Barcelona (2025) was ruled ineligible because the athlete ran behind a pace car. Kejelcha’s Buenos Aires performance therefore restores the record under eligible conditions.
Race Strategy and Split Times
Kejelcha entered with pacemakers Dillon Kipyeko and Brian Kipmwetich Kipkore, targeting 2:45 min/km early on. The first 5 km were covered in 13:45, 10 km in 27:19, and 15 km in 40:41, slightly faster than Kiplimo’s comparable splits. He reached 20 km in 54:04 and completed the final kilometre in 2:32.
Ethiopian Sweep and Women’s Victory
The men’s podium was all Ethiopian: Tadese Worku second in 59:20, Bereket Nega third in 1:00:20. In the women’s race, Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay won in 1:03:57, ahead of Turkey’s Nevin Can (1:05:06) and Selin Can (1:05:11).
Official Responses and Ratification Status
World Athletics confirmed that Kejelcha’s time meets record criteria and is undergoing verification, including course measurement and compliance checks. The organization reiterated that Kiplimo’s Barcelona time remains ineligible due to pacing-car assistance.
Implications and Future Outlook
Kejelcha’s achievement reestablishes Ethiopia’s dominance in long-distance road racing and marks the first sub-57-minute half-marathon recorded under fully compliant conditions. The performance follows his earlier London Marathon breakthrough, where he ran 1:59:40. Analysts suggest his success will shape upcoming elite fields, notably his scheduled appearance at the Valencia Marathon in December.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Ratification of Kiplimo’s Lisbon record: Some outlets list it as awaiting ratification, others as the standing record; World Athletics has not confirmed the final status.
- Eligibility of the Barcelona 56:42 performance: Officially ruled ineligible, but the detailed technical rationale beyond pacing-car assistance has not been publicly disclosed.
The Buenos Aires race therefore stands as the latest verified benchmark for the men’s half-marathon, pending formal endorsement by World Athletics.
