Yomif Kejelcha, who made history when he went under two hours on his marathon debut in London in April, has now rewritten the half marathon record books.
The Ethiopian became the fastest debutant at the marathon with a stunning 1:59:41 on an historic day in London when the two-hour barrier was broken for the first time by Sabastian Sawe in 1:59:30.
And in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sunday he ran a staggering 56 minutes 51 seconds for 13.1 miles or 21.1km.
Back on top
That knocked no less than 29 seconds off the previous best mark of 57:20, set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon in March, though both records have to go through the usual ratification process.
It is the second time 29-year-old Kejelcha has topped the half marathon standings following his 57:30 in Valencia from October 2024.
Perfectly paced
The splits were incredible on Sunday in what were near ideal conditions as he got faster and faster through the race.
He had said beforehand he wanted to go under 58 minutes and his pacemakers Dillon Kipyeko and Brian Kipmwetich were asked to go at 2:45 per kilometre in the early stages, which they followed to the letter as Kejelcha went through 5km in 13:45.
At the 10km mark the clock read 27:19 after a 5km split of 13:34 – though at that point he was still 19 seconds off Kiplimo’s split from that 57:20.
But a 13:22 for the next 5km took him to 15km in 40:41 and he was now 11 seconds quicker than Kiplimo.
And he then rounded it off in style as he powered to the 56:51 mark.
Afterwards he told World Athletics: “I had planned to run conservatively over the early stages, but I felt good and decided to give it my all. This time is unbelievable; I can’t describe it with words.”
