Jakob Kiplimo Smashes Half Marathon World Record with 57:20 in Lisbon
Uganda’s Jakob Kiplimo delivered a historic performance on Sunday (8), smashing the half marathon world record with a stunning 57:20 victory at the 2026 EDP Lisbon Half Marathon. The 25-year-old distance star improved the previous world record of 57:30 set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in 2024, taking ten seconds off the global mark on the fast Lisbon course.
Kiplimo quickly separated himself from the leading pack and ran alone for much of the second half of the race, maintaining a relentless pace as he crossed the finish line in 57 minutes and 20 seconds, averaging just over 2:43 per kilometer.
Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir finished second in 58:08, while fellow Kenyan Gilbert Kipkosgei Kiprotich completed the podium in 58:59. Kenya’s Benard Langat placed fourth in 59:31, and Mohamed Ismail of Djibouti rounded out the top five in 59:45.
The victory further cements Lisbon’s reputation as one of the fastest half marathon courses in the world. Kiplimo himself previously held the world record after running 57:31 on the same course in 2021, before the mark was later broken.
Kiplimo's Splits:
- 5km 13.28
- 10km 27.00 (13.32)
- 15km 40.52 (13.52)
- 20km 54.23 (13.31)
- 21.1km 57.20 (2.57)
Women’s Race
Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama claimed victory in the women’s race with a strong 1:04:48, comfortably ahead of Kenya’s Janeth Chepngetich, who finished second in 1:06:50. Kenya’s Regina Wambui took third place in 1:07:10.
Another Kenyan athlete, Tabithanjeri Kamau, placed fourth in 1:07:22, while Ethiopia’s Girmawit Gebrzihair completed the top five in 1:07:30.
The Lisbon Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, once again produced world-class performances as thousands of runners crossed the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge before finishing along the Tagus River in Portugal’s capital.
