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Half marathon

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Athletics
Half marathon
BERJAYA
Half marathon runners in the 2024 Dallas Marathon
World records
MenUganda Jacob Kiplimo 57:20 (2026)
WomenMx: Ethiopia Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)
Wo: Kenya Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:16 (2020)

A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (c. 13 mi 192.5 yd)—half the distance of a marathon.[1] It is common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon or a 5K race, using almost the same course with a late start, an early finish, or shortcuts.[2][circular reference] If finisher medals are awarded, the medal or ribbon may differ from those for the full marathon. The half marathon is also known as a 21K, 21.1K, or 13.1 miles, although these values are rounded and not formally correct.[examples needed]

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics.[3][4] The men's world record time is 57:20, set by Jacob Kiplimo in 2026 in Lisbon. Kiplimo also ran 56:42 in Barcelona but this mark was not ratified by World Athletics due to his proximity to the lead car.[5] The women's world record, in a mixed-gender race, is 1:02:52, set by Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia in October 2021 in Valencia, Spain. In a female-only race, the women's world record is 1:05:16, set by Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in October 2020.[6]

Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003,[7] partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does.[7] In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon was the fastest-growing type of race.[7]

History

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The concept of the half-marathon emerged in the 1960s. The first half marathon was the Route du Vin Half Marathon founded in 1961, although the race was technically not the official current distance until it was standardized in 1995.[8] The event grew in popularity leading to the eventual establishment of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in 1992, originally titled the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.

Area records

[edit]
Area Men Women
Time Season Athlete Time Season Athlete
World 57:202026BERJAYA Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 1:02:52 Mx2021BERJAYA Letesenbet Gidey (ETH)
Area records
Africa (records) 57:202026BERJAYA Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 1:02:52 Mx2021BERJAYA Letesenbet Gidey (ETH)
Asia (records) 58:232026BERJAYA Birhanu Balew (BHR) 1:05:22 Mx2017BERJAYA Violah Jepchumba (BHR)
Europe (records) 58:412025BERJAYA Andreas Almgren (SWE) 1:05:15 Mx2018BERJAYA Sifan Hassan (NED)
North, Central America
and Caribbean (records)		 59:152025BERJAYA Conner Mantz (USA) 1:06:042026BERJAYA Weini Kelati (USA)
Oceania (records) 59:472015BERJAYA Zane Robertson (NZL) 1:07:112011BERJAYA Kimberley Smith (NZL)
South America (records) 59:332007BERJAYA Marílson Gomes dos Santos (BRA) 1:09:212025BERJAYA Florencia Borelli (ARG)

All-time top 25

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Men

[edit]
Rank Time Athlete Date Place Ref
1 56:42[a] BERJAYA Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 16 February 2025 Barcelona [13]
2 57:30 BERJAYA Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [14]
3 57:32 BERJAYA Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [15]
4 57:41 BERJAYA Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) 22 October 2023 Valencia [16]
5 57:50 BERJAYA Selemon Barega (ETH) 22 October 2023 Valencia [16]
6 57:59 BERJAYA Alexander Mutiso (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [15]
7 58:01 BERJAYA Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 15 September 2019 Copenhagen [17]
8 58:02 BERJAYA Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 6 March 2022 Rome–Ostia [18]
9 58:07 BERJAYA Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [19]
10 58:08 BERJAYA Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (KEN) 8 March 2026 Lisboa [20]
11 58:10 BERJAYA Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) 15 September 2024 Copenhagen [21]
12 58:11 BERJAYA Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [15]
13 58:16 BERJAYA Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 28 March 2026 Prague [22]
14 58:17 BERJAYA Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 27 October 2024 Valencia [23]
15 58:23 BERJAYA Zersenay Tadese (ERI) 21 March 2010 Lisbon [24]
BERJAYA Birhanu Balew (BHR) 14 February 2026 Ras Al Khaimah [25]
17 58:24 BERJAYA Vincent Kibet Langat (KEN) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [26]
18 58:27 BERJAYA Gilbert Kipkosgei Kiprotich (KEN) 23 March 2025 Malaga [27]
19 58:28 BERJAYA Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [19]
20 58:33 BERJAYA Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) 17 March 2007 The Hague [28]
BERJAYA Jemal Yimer (ETH) 28 October 2018 Valencia [29]
22 58:35 BERJAYA Kenneth Kiprop Renju (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [30]
23 58:36 BERJAYA Seifu Tura Abdiwak (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [31]
24 58:38 BERJAYA Gideon Kipkertich Rono (KEN) 14 February 2026 Ras Al Khaimah [25]
25 58:39 BERJAYA Gemechu Dida (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [32]
BERJAYA Brian Kibor (KEN) 26 October 2025 Valencia [33]

Notes

[edit]

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:39:

Performance annulled due to doping offences:

Time Athlete Date Place Ref
57:49 BERJAYA Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [15]
58:30 BERJAYA Rodgers Kwemoi (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [37]

Women

[edit]

[38] [39]

Rank Time Athlete Date Place Ref
1 1:02:52 Mx BERJAYA Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [40]
2 1:03:04 Mx BERJAYA Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN) 27 October 2024 Valencia [41]
3 1:03:21 Mx BERJAYA Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [41]
4 1:03:32 Mx BERJAYA Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) 27 October 2024 Valencia [41]
5 1:03:51 Mx BERJAYA Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [40]
6 1:04:01 Mx BERJAYA Loice Chemnung (KEN) 15 February 2026 Barcelona [42][43]
7 1:04:02 Mx BERJAYA Ruth Chepng'etich (KEN) 4 April 2021 Istanbul [44]
8 1:04:13 Mx BERJAYA Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 16 February 2025 Barcelona [45]
9 1:04:14 Mx BERJAYA Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [46]
10 1:04:14 Mx BERJAYA Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [41]
11 1:04:21 BERJAYA Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH) 9 March 2025 Lisboa [47]
12 1:04:22 Mx BERJAYA Hellen Obiri (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [46]
13 1:04:31 Mx BERJAYA Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 21 February 2020 Ras al-Khaimah [48]
14 1:04:36 Mx BERJAYA Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [46]
15 1:04:37 BERJAYA Irine Kimais (KEN) 19 February 2023 Barcelona [49]
16 1:04:37 Mx BERJAYA Sutume Kebede (ETH) 14 January 2024 Houston [50]
17 1:04:40 Mx BERJAYA Senbere Teferi (ETH) 11 February 2024 Barcelona [51]
18 1:04:44 BERJAYA Likina Amebaw (ETH) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [52]
19 1:04:46 BERJAYA Margaret Kipkemboi (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [53]
20 1:04:49 Mx BERJAYA Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 21 February 2020 Ras al-Khaimah [48]
BERJAYA Fantaye Belayneh (ETH) 11 January 2026 Houston [54]
22 1:04:52 BERJAYA Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [55]
23 1:04:53 BERJAYA Irine Chepet Cheptai (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [53]
24 1:04:55 BERJAYA Mary Keitany (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [55]
25 1:05:00 BERJAYA Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [52]

Notes

[edit]

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:00:

World leading times

[edit]
BERJAYA
The Chicago Half Marathon is a Chicago Marathon tune-up on Lake Shore Drive in the South Side of Chicago.
BERJAYA
Runners taking part in the Bristol Half Marathon

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.[58]

The largest half marathon ever held was Broloppet (the Bridge race) between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden with 79,719 finishers, held in connection with the Øresund Bridge inauguration in 2000.[60][61]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Not ratified as a world record due to the runner's proximity to the lead pace car
  2. ↑ Published in IAAF documents, including IAAF top lists Archived 2009-02-16 at the Wayback Machine. The ARRS has suggested that the Stramilano half marathon course might have been short in 1993 and lists the best time for 1993 as 1:00:15 by Moses Tanui from Kenya.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "USATF: Course Measurement and Certification Procedures" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  2. ↑ "Chip timing", Wikipedia, 2023-03-28, retrieved 2023-07-16.
  3. 1 2 Emeterio Valiente (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Records by discipline: Women's outdoor half marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  5. ↑ "World Athletics borra el récord mundial de medio maratón de Jacob Kiplimo por aprovechar el rebufo de un coche". Runner's World (in European Spanish). 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  6. ↑ "Stats | World Athletics | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  7. 1 2 3 Hanc, John (July 24, 2008). "Sometimes Half Is Better Than Whole". NY Times. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  8. ↑ "THE HISTORY OF THE HALF". Runner's World. 2022-07-01.
  9. ↑ "Men's Half Marathon | Records". worldathletics.org. World Athletics. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Women's Half Marathon | Records". worldathletics.org. World Athletics. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Men's Half Marathon All-time toplist". World Athletics. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  12. ↑ "All-time men's best half-marathon". alltime-athletics.com. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  13. ↑ Valiente, Emeterio (February 16, 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón". World Athletics. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Emeterio Valiente (6 December 2020). "57:32! Kandie crushes half marathon world record in Valencia". World Athletics. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  16. 1 2 "Kandie and Chelimo victorious in Valencia | REPORTS | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  17. ↑ "Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world record". bbc.co.uk. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  18. ↑ "Mokoka breaks world 50km record with 2:40:13 in Gqeberha". World Athletics. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  19. 1 2 "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "EDP Lisbon Half Marathon". Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  21. ↑ "Sawe and Kipkemboi claim Copenhagen Half Marathon crowns". World Athletics. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  22. ↑ "Generali Prague Half Marathon". World Athletics. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  23. ↑ "Half Marathon - men - senior - all". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  24. ↑ "Zersenay TADESE Profile". Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Men's Half Marathon Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  26. ↑ "Men's Half Marathon Results". cphhalf.dk. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  27. ↑ "Men's Half Marathon Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  28. ↑ "Samuel Kamau WANJIRU Profile". Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  29. ↑ Emeterio Valiente (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  30. ↑ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  31. ↑ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  32. ↑ Emeterio Valiente (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  33. ↑ "Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  34. ↑ "Jepchirchir smashes women-only half marathon world record in Prague". World Athletics. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  35. ↑ "Abraham Kiptum: Kenyan runner gets four-year ban for anti-doping violation - BBC Sport". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  36. ↑ "Tadese blazes 58:30 in Lisbon, second fastest Half Marathon ever | NEWS | World Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-09-20.
  37. ↑ "Kenyan runner Kwemoi banned 6 years for blood doping". ESPN. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  38. ↑ "Women's Half Marathon All-time toplist". World Athletics. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  39. ↑ "All-time women's best half-marathon". alltime-athletics.com. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  40. 1 2 "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  41. 1 2 3 4 Emeterio Valiente (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  42. ↑ "Weini Kelati Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Result". mitjamarato.barcelona. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  43. ↑ Christopher Kelsall (15 February 2026). "Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet and Kenyan Loice Chemnung win the Mitja Marató de Barcelona half marathon". Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  44. ↑ "Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbul". World Athletics. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  45. ↑ Emeterio Valiente (16 February 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón". World Athletics. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  46. 1 2 3 Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  47. ↑ "Tsigie Gebreselama pulverizou recorde pessoal na EDP Meia Maratona de Lisboa". Jogada do Mes. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  48. 1 2 "Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  49. ↑ Valiente, Emeterio (19 February 2023). "Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  50. ↑ "2024 Houston Half Marathon Results". track.rtrt.me. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  51. ↑ Emeterio Valiente (11 February 2024). "Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona". World Athletics. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  52. 1 2 "Amebaw runs 1:04:44 at Copenhagen Half Marathon". World Athletics. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.[dead link]
  53. 1 2 "Kipkemboi and Kandie win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2025.[dead link]
  54. ↑ "Ethiopia's Fantaye Belayneh wins women's Aramco Houston Half Marathon". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  55. 1 2 "Chemutai runs 1:04:52 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon". World Athletics. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2025.[dead link]
  56. ↑ Whittington, Jess (2022-03-27). "Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul". World Athletics. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  57. ↑ "Jepkosgei breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-10-23.
  58. ↑ "Yearly Ranking Leaders: Half Marathon". ARRS. Archived from the original on 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  59. ↑ "Keitany smashes half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". IAAF. February 18, 2011. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  60. ↑ "Bridge Race 2000". Archived from the original on 2004-11-19. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  61. ↑ "Senaste". Marathon.se. 8 June 2023.

Further reading

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