Breaking: Kejelcha breaks the record!!!

Yomif Kejelcha breaks the men’s world record while Ngetich ranks second on the women’s all-time list.

On Sunday, October 27, Yomif Kejelcha broke the men’s world record at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon. The Ethiopian finished in 57:30, just one second behind Jacob Kiplimo’s record set in Lisbon in November 2021.

This was the fourth world record set in Valencia in seven years, following the women’s 2017 event run by Joyciline Jepkosgei, the men’s 2020 event by Kibiwott Kandie, and the women’s 2021 event by Letesenbet Gidey. Abraham Kiptum also set a world record time in 2018, but his time was revoked for doping.

Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi finished third, and the 27-year-old was 47 seconds ahead of Daniel Mateiko of Kenya. Selemon Barega, a fellow countryman and gold medallist in the 10,000m at Tokyo 2020, finished sixth.

In the women’s race, half-marathon rookie Agnes Ngetich ran the first 10km in a fast 29:18, raising the possibility of a world record. After slowing down in the second half of the race, she won in 63:04, which was the second-fastest time ever and 12 seconds slower than Gidey’s winning time from three years prior.

Fotyen Tesfay of Ethiopia was 17 seconds behind the Kenyan, while Lilian Kasait, another Kenyan, finished third.

In recent years, a number of long-distance world records have been broken by new shoe technology. Ruth Chepngetich became the first woman to finish the Chicago Marathon in under two hours and ten minutes, and Kejelcha’s accomplishment comes just two weeks after that.

Track and field world records at a glance: Ruth Chepngetich achieves a world record time at the Chicago Marathon

Results from 2024 Valencia Half Marathon (top 10)

Men

1. Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 57:30
2. Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 58:17
3. Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) 58:21
4. Gemechu Dida (ETH) 58:39
5. Vincent Langat (KEN) 58:41
6. Selemon Barega (ETH) 58:57
7. Birhanu Balew (BRN) 59:41
8. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 59:42
9. Etienne Daguinos (FRA) 59:46
10. Bastien Augusto (FRA) 60:18
    

    Women

    1. Agnes Ngetich (KEN) 63:04
    2. Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 63:21
    3. Lilian Kasait (KEN) 63:32
    4. Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) 64:14
    5. Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH) 65:18
    6. Sheila Chelangat (KEN) 66:08
    7. Jesca Chelangat (KEN) 66:13
    8. Viola Chepngeno (KEN) 66:55
    9. Konstance Klosterhalfen (GER) 67:07
    10. Eva Dieterich (GER) 68:26