In the world of running, every second counts and can make all the difference. This was proven by Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha, who narrowly beat the men’s half marathon record by just one second last Sunday in Valencia.
Kejelcha crossed the finish line with force to set a time of 57 minutes and 30 seconds, erasing the record set in 2021 by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon. This latest feat adds to Kejelcha’s achievement as a former world championship silver medallist in the 10,000 metres, who also holds the world indoor record for the mile, set in Boston in 2019.
As with all athletics records, Kejelcha’s will have to undergo ratification procedures before it is officially recognised by World Athletics. The performance is all the more remarkable as it recalls the previous record set by Kiplimo by improving the time by just one second, a rare feat in the world of running.
The men’s half marathon record was not the only one on the line that day, as Kenyan runner Agnes Ngetich also attempted to break the women’s record held by Letesenbet Gidey. Unfortunately, Ngetich narrowly missed out on Gidey’s mark, finishing 11 seconds off her time of 1 hour, 2 minutes and 52 seconds, also set in Valencia in 2021.
Although Ngetich failed to break the record, World Athletics noted that her time was the second fastest in history, an impressive achievement for the world championships 10,000m finalist in her half marathon debut.
Athletic rivalry and the constant pursuit of excellence are key elements in the world of running, and Kejelcha and Ngetich’s performances demonstrate the commitment and determination of athletes to push the limits of their own abilities. These records are not only examples of exceptional performances, but also sources of inspiration for all those who are passionate about running and the pursuit of athletic excellence.