Jacob Kiplimo, a 25-year-old athlete from Uganda, has reclaimed the world record for the half marathon by completing the race this Sunday in Lisbon with an impressive time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. This achievement improves upon the previous record by 10 seconds, which had been set by Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha in 2024. Kiplimo had previously set the half marathon world record himself in 2021, also in Lisbon, before it was briefly held by Kejelcha.

During the race, Kiplimo displayed exceptional pacing, covering the first 5 kilometers in a rapid 13 minutes and 28 seconds, with Kenyan runners Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich closely trailing him. After reaching the 10-kilometer mark in 27 minutes, Kiprotich fell behind, and Kiplimo solidified his lead by finishing the last 5 kilometers in 13 minutes and 31 seconds. Kiplimo expressed his confidence, stating that after the first 10 kilometers, he believed that breaking the world record was achievable.

The race showcased Kiplimo's dominance in long-distance running, and his remarkable time sets a new benchmark in the athletics world. The performance not only reestablishes Kiplimo's position among the elite runners but also highlights the growing competitiveness in the half marathon distance, particularly between athletes from Uganda and Kenya, known for their incredible endurance and speed on the track.