Ugandan superstar Jacob Kiplimo has reclaimed the world half marathon record, clocking an astonishing 57:20 at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, cementing his legacy as the greatest distance runner of his generation.

Jacob Kiplimo returned to the coastal streets of Lisbon on Sunday, delivering a masterclass in endurance that redefined the limits of human potential over 13.1 miles.

The significance of this feat cannot be overstated. By shaving ten seconds off the previous world record of 57:30, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in 2024, Kiplimo has effectively reset the standard for long-distance athletics. The race was a tactical tour de force, with Kiplimo leading from the front, unfazed by the lack of traditional pacemakers, maintaining a punishing average pace of approximately 2:43 per kilometer. For athletics enthusiasts in East Africa, the performance serves as a powerful reminder of the region’s dominance in global long-distance running, mirroring the legendary status of predecessors like Haile Gebrselassie or Eliud Kipchoge.

A Return to Sacred Ground

Lisbon holds a special place in Kiplimo’s career. It was here in 2021 that he first broke the world record, clocking 57:31 as a 20-year-old prodigy. His return to the city was highly anticipated, particularly after his 2025 performance in Barcelona (56:42) was left unratified due to course compliance issues. This Sunday’s result, achieved on a World Athletics Elite Label road race course, is expected to stand as the definitive world record.

The race progression highlighted Kiplimo’s tactical superiority:

• 5km split: 13:28
• 10km split: 27:00
• 15km split: 40:52
• 20km split: 54:23
• Final time: 57:20

Regional Dominance and Future Ambitions

While Kiplimo took the spotlight, the race also underscored the depth of talent currently emerging from the East African circuit. Kenyan athletes Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich secured second and third positions with times of 58:08 and 58:59, respectively. This collective dominance reinforces the region’s grip on international road racing, as training camps across Uganda and Kenya continue to produce athletes capable of rewriting the record books.

For Kiplimo, this record is not merely a number; it is a statement of intent as he prepares for the upcoming World Athletics Championship season. His ability to run solitary for the final six kilometers of the race suggests there is still untapped potential in his performance profile.

“I’m so happy to break the world record. After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometres,” Kiplimo said in a post-race interview.

As he looks to the future, the global running community now turns its eyes toward the next major marathon majors, where Kiplimo is widely expected to transition his blistering half-marathon speed into full-marathon success.