Ethiopian marathon runner breaks world record

Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha has broken the world record for the half marathon at the World Athletics Road Race in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a time of 56 minutes and 51 seconds.

The 29-year-old previously held the record. Kejelcha had set a time of 57 minutes and 30 seconds in the Valencia half marathon in October 2024. However, Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo broke the record in Lisbon in March 2026 with a time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

Kejelcha improved his previous time by 29 seconds in the Buenos Aires race, setting a new record of 56:51.

He started the race at a very fast pace, completing the first 5 kilometers in 13:34. His time at 10km was 27:19. That was 19 seconds slower than Kiplimo's world record 10km time.

However, Kejelcha picked up speed in the second half of the distance and finished in 56:51. His time is marked with an asterisk and is expected to be confirmed as a world record.

Kejelcha is the silver medalist in the 10,000m at the World Championships. He also holds the world record for the 10,000m road race.

The Ethiopian also finished second in the London Marathon this year, which was won by Kenyan Sebastian Saue in 1:59:30. Saue finished 11 seconds ahead of Kejelcha.