At the Lisbon Half Marathon on 8/3, Jacob Kiplimo set a record of 57 minutes 20 seconds. This achievement is still awaiting ratification by World Athletics (WA).

However, in Buenos Aires on 23/8, Kejelcha reclaimed the top spot, achieving a time 29 seconds faster than Kiplimo's previous record. Kejelcha had initially set a record of 57 minutes 30 seconds in Valencia on 27/10/2024, before Kiplimo surpassed him.

Yomif Kejelcha kisses his shoe, which displays the record time of 56 minutes 51 seconds, at the 21K de Buenos Aires on 23/8. Photo: *Adidas*

The Ethiopian runner's chip time in Buenos Aires was 56 minutes 50 seconds, but the world record is officially recognized by gun time. This performance translates to an average pace of 2 minutes 42 seconds per kilometer.

Kiplimo had previously achieved a faster time. In Barcelona in 2/2025, the Ugandan athlete completed a half marathon in 56 minutes 42 seconds. However, World Athletics did not ratify this result due to Kiplimo receiving illegal assistance from a pace car during the race.

The Buenos Aires race started at 8:00 AM from the Avenida Figueroa Alcorta and Dorrego area in Palermo, with temperatures around 6 degrees Celsius. According to *La Nacion*, Kejelcha broke away at the 7 km mark and ran the remaining 14 km solo.

Yomif Kejelcha breaks the half marathon world record at 21K de Buenos Aires. Video: *Instagram / maratondebuenosaires*

Tadese Worku secured second place with a time of 59 minutes 20 seconds. Bereket Nega finished third at 1 hour 0 minutes 20 seconds, while Jonathan Kipkoech Kamosong placed fourth, just one second behind. Ignacio Erario was the top Argentine finisher, clocking 1 hour 0 minutes 59 seconds, though he fell short of the national record of 1 hour 0 minutes 45 seconds. In the women's race, Fotyen Tesfay claimed first place with 1 hour 03 minutes 57 seconds.

This year's course was modified, with organizers removing highway sections and rerouting the race through Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida Libertador. Kiplimo had previously won here in 8/2025, setting a course record of 58 minutes 29 seconds. Kejelcha's recent performance was 1 minute 38 seconds faster than Kiplimo's winning time.

Kejelcha stated he felt no fatigue after his impressive Buenos Aires performance. The Ethiopian athlete initially planned a cautious race, but feeling strong, he changed his strategy and gave his all. "The journey from Ethiopia was long, and I felt tired during my first few days here, but my condition gradually improved, and today I was full of energy," he commented.

Yomif Kejelcha and Sabastian Sawe compete in the London Marathon on 26/4/2026. Photo: *Reuters*

Kejelcha is a prominent long-distance runner with an impressive resume across various distances. His achievements include holding the indoor world record for the mile (3 minutes 47.01 seconds), as well as strong performances in the 3,000m (7 minutes 23.64 seconds), 5,000m (12 minutes 38.95 seconds), and 10,000m (26 minutes 31.01 seconds). Beyond the half marathon, Kejelcha also holds the 10km record, set at 26 minutes 31 seconds at the 10K Facsa Castellon event in Spain in 2/2025.

Most recently, the Ethiopian athlete made history by running under two hours in his marathon debut at the London Marathon 2026, clocking 1 hour 59 minutes 41 seconds. However, he finished second to champion Sabastian Sawe, who achieved a time of 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds.

Hong Duy