Jacob Kiplimo sent a powerful message to his London Marathon competitors with a groundbreaking performance in the Barcelona Half Marathon on Sunday, February 11. The Ugandan runner, known for his remarkable career in long-distance events, shattered the world half marathon record with a stunning time of 56:41, making history as the first man to complete the distance in under 57 minutes. This extraordinary achievement broke the previous world record held by Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha, who had set the mark at 57:30.
Kiplimo’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. The 22-year-old two-time world 10,000m champion improved the record by an astonishing 49 seconds, marking the largest-ever single improvement on the men’s half marathon world record. His time also included setting a world best for 15km, clocking 39:47 during the race. The event, held in ideal weather conditions of 13ºC and no wind, saw Kiplimo race with impressive focus and speed. He left his competitors trailing behind, with Kenyan athletes Geoffrey Kamworor and Samuel Mailu finishing second and third with times of 58:44 and 59:40, respectively.
Reflecting on his performance, Kiplimo shared his excitement, admitting that while he aimed for a strong race, he hadn’t expected to break the world record. “I started very strong in the first two kilometres to get away from my rivals. As the kilometres passed and I saw that I was going at record pace, I told myself that I had to maintain that pace no matter what it took,” he said after the race.
This victory sends a clear signal to Kiplimo’s rivals ahead of the 2025 London Marathon, where he will make his debut at the full marathon distance. Set to take place on April 27, the London Marathon will feature a fierce lineup of competitors, including four-time winner Eliud Kipchoge, defending champion Alexander Mutiso, and the fast-rising Sebastian Sawe, all from Kenya. Additionally, Olympic champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia will also be in the race, making it one of the most anticipated marathons of the year.
Despite being new to the 42-kilometre marathon distance, Kiplimo’s world-record half marathon performance has generated confidence that he can rise to the challenge in London. His blistering pace and mental toughness demonstrated in Barcelona show that he is capable of competing at the highest level in the marathon, even though it will be his first attempt at the distance.
In Barcelona, Kiplimo’s decision to start fast and take control early in the race proved to be crucial. His ability to push through the pain and maintain a world-record pace for the entirety of the race speaks volumes about his physical and mental preparation. Kiplimo’s confidence will be further boosted by the win, as it highlights his exceptional conditioning and readiness to make an impact at the London Marathon.
As the countdown to the London Marathon intensifies, Kiplimo’s performance in Barcelona has placed him among the top contenders. His strong debut in the marathon could disrupt the dominance of established stars like Kipchoge, who has long been the face of marathon running. With Kiplimo now looking to translate his success in the half marathon to the full marathon distance, the race in London promises to be an exciting showdown among the world’s best distance runners.
Kiplimo’s extraordinary breakthrough in Barcelona signifies the arrival of a new force in long-distance running. His impressive half marathon world record has set the stage for an unforgettable marathon debut in London, and fans around the world are eager to see what the young Ugandan runner will achieve next.
