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Half marathon

Road running event of 21.0975 kilometres

Road running event of 21.0975 kilometres

FieldValue
eventHalf marathon
image320px
captionHalf marathon runners in the 2024 Dallas Marathon
WRmenUGA Jacob Kiplimo 56:42 (2025)
WRwomen****: ETH Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)

****: KEN Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:16 (2020)}} A half marathon is a road running event of kilometres ( 13 mi 192.5 yd)—half the distance of a marathon. 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. 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.

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics. The men's world record time, pending ratification, is 56:42, set by Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda in February 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. 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.

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

History

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. 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.

All-time top 25

Men

  • Correct .
RankTimeAthleteDatePlaceRef123456789101112131516171819212223
56:42Jacob Kiplimo16 February 2025Barcelona
57:30Yomif Kejelcha27 October 2024Valencia
57:32Kibiwott Kandie6 December 2020Valenciatitle=57:32! Kandie crushes half marathon world record in Valenciaurl=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/kibiwott-kandie-half-marathon-world-recordpublisher=World Athleticsauthor=Emeterio Valientedate=6 December 2020access-date=8 December 2020}}
57:41Hagos Gebrhiwet22 October 2023Valenciatitle=Kandie and Chelimo victorious in Valencia REPORTS World Athleticsurl=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/valencia-half-marathon-2023-kandie-chelimoaccess-date=2023-10-25website=worldathletics.org}}
57:50Selemon Barega22 October 2023Valencia
57:59Alexander Mutiso6 December 2020Valencia
58:01Geoffrey Kamworor15 September 2019Copenhagenurl=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/49710148title=Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world recordwebsite=bbc.co.ukdate=15 September 2019access-date=16 September 2019}}
58:02Sabastian Sawe6 March 2022Rome–Ostia
58:07Abel Kipchumba24 October 2021Valenciatitle=Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valenciaurl=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/letesenbet-gidey-half-marathon-record-valenciapublisher=World Athleticsdate=24 October 2021access-date=7 November 2021}}
58:10Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi15 September 2024Copenhagen
58:11Philemon Kiplimo6 December 2020Valencia
58:17Daniel Mateiko27 October 2024Valencia
58:23Zersenay Tadese21 March 2010Lisbon
Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli14 September 2025Copenhagen
58:24Vincent Kibet Langat14 September 2025Copenhagen
58:27Gilbert Kipkosgei Kiprotich23 March 2025Malaga
58:28Kennedy Kimutai24 October 2021Valencia
58:30Rodgers Kwemoi19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
58:33Samuel Wanjiru17 March 2007The Hague
Jemal Yimer28 October 2018Valenciatitle=Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/world-half-marathon-record-valencia-kiptumpublisher=IAAFauthor=Emeterio Valientedate=28 October 2018access-date=29 October 2018}}
58:35Kenneth Kiprop Renju19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
58:36Seifu Tura Abdiwak19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
58:39Rodrigue Kwizera26 October 2025Valencia
Gemechu Dida27 October 2024Valencia
Brian Kibor26 October 2025Valencia

Notes

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

  • Jacob Kiplimo also ran 57:31 (2021), 57:37 (2020), 57:56 (2022) and 58:09 (2024).
  • Kibiwott Kandie also ran 57:40 (2023), 58:10 (2022) and 58:38 (2020).
  • Yomif Kejelcha also ran 57:41 (2023) 58:02 (2025) and 58:32 (2022).
  • Sabastian Sawe also ran 58:05 (2024), 58:24 (2024), 58:29 (2023).
  • Abraham Kiptum ran 58:18, but it was expunged for doping.
  • Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi also ran 58:21 (2024).
  • Zersenay Tadese also ran 58:30 (2011).
  • Daniel Mateiko also ran 58:26 (2021).
  • Philemon Kiplimo also ran 58:34 (2021).

Performance annulled due to doping offences:

TimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
57:49Rhonex Kipruto6 December 2020Valencia

Women

  • Correct .
RankTimeAthleteDatePlaceRef12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
1:02:52Letesenbet Gidey24 October 2021Valenciatitle=Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valenciaurl=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/letesenbet-gidey-half-marathon-record-valenciapublisher=World Athleticsdate=24 October 2021access-date=6 November 2021}}
1:03:04Agnes Jebet Ngetich27 October 2024Valenciatitle=Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valenciaurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/kejelcha-world-half-marathon-record-valenciawebsite=World Athleticsauthor=Emeterio Valientedate=27 October 2024access-date=1 November 2024}}
1:03:21Fotyen Tesfay27 October 2024Valencia
1:03:32Lilian Kasait Rengeruk27 October 2024Valencia
1:03:51Yalemzerf Yehualaw24 October 2021Valencia
1:04:02Ruth Chepngetich4 April 2021Istanbultitle=Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbulurl=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/chepngetich-istanbul-half-marathon-record-202publisher=World Athleticsdate=4 April 2021access-date=2 June 2021}}
1:04:13Joyciline Jepkosgei16 February 2025Barcelonatitle=Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellónurl=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/jacob-kiplimo-uganda-world-half-marathon-record-barcelonawebsite=World Athleticsauthor=Emeterio Valientedate=16 February 2025access-date=26 February 2025}}
1:04:14Girmawit Gebrzihair19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimahtitle=Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimahurl=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/kiplimo-gebrzihair-course-records-ras-al-khaimah-half-marathonpublisher=World Athleticsauthor=Jess Whittingtondate=19 February 2022access-date=19 February 2022}}
1:04:14Ejgayehu Taye27 October 2024Valencia
1:04:21Tsigie Gebreselama9 March 2025Lisboatitle=Tsigie Gebreselama pulverizou recorde pessoal na EDP Meia Maratona de Lisboaurl=https://www.jogadadomes.pt/?p=40414website=Jogada do Mesdate=10 March 2025access-date=26 October 2025}}
1:04:22Hellen Obiri19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
1:04:31Ababel Yeshaneh21 February 2020Ras al-Khaimahtitle=Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimahurl=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/yeshaneh-world-record-ras-al-khaimah-half-marpublisher=World Athleticsdate=21 February 2020access-date=7 March 2020}}
1:04:36Sheila Chepkirui19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
1:04:37Irine Kimais19 February 2023Barcelonalast=Valientefirst=Emeteriodate=19 February 2023title=Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimahurl=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/ras-al-khaimah-half-marathon-obiri-kibetaccess-date=19 February 2023website=World Athletics}}
1:04:37Sutume Kebede14 January 2024Houstontitle=2024 Houston Half Marathon Resultsurl=https://track.rtrt.me/e/HOU-2024#/leaderboard/half-top-50-guntime-F/FINISH-Hwebsite=track.rtrt.medate=14 January 2024access-date=14 January 2024}}
1:04:40Senbere Teferi11 February 2024Barcelonatitle=Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelonaurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/barcelona-half-marathon-2024website=World Athleticsauthor=Emeterio Valientedate=11 February 2024access-date=11 February 2024}}
1:04:44Likina Amebaw14 September 2025Copenhagentitle=Amebaw runs 1:04:44 at Copenhagen Half Marathonurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/amebaw-copenhagen-half-marathon-2025website=World Athleticsdate=14 September 2025access-date=26 October 2025}}
1:04:46Margaret Kipkemboi22 October 2023Valenciatitle=Kipkemboi and Kandie win Valencia Half Marathonurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/kipkemboi-kandie-valencia-half-marathon-2023website=World Athleticsdate=22 October 2023access-date=26 October 2025}}
1:04:49Brigid Kosgei21 February 2020Ras al-Khaimah
1:04:52Fancy Chemutai9 February 2018Ras al-Khaimahtitle=Chemutai runs 1:04:52 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathonurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/chemutai-ras-al-khaimah-half-marathon-2018website=World Athleticsdate=9 February 2018access-date=26 October 2025}}
1:04:53Irine Chepet Cheptai22 October 2023Valencia
1:04:55Mary Keitany9 February 2018Ras al-Khaimah
1:05:00Sharon Lokedi14 September 2025Copenhagen
1:05:03Vicoty Chepngeno16 January 2022Houstontitle=Chepngeno and Kiplimo win Houston Half Marathonurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/chepngeno-kiplimo-houston-half-marathon-2022website=World Athleticsdate=16 January 2022access-date=26 October 2025}}
1:05:04Joan Chelimo Melly7 April 2018Prahatitle=Chelimo runs 1:05:04 at Prague Half Marathonurl=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/chelimo-prague-half-marathon-2018website=World Athleticsdate=7 April 2018access-date=26 October 2025}}

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:04:

  • Agnes Jebet Ngetich also ran 1:03:08 (2025).
  • Fotyen Tesfay also ran 1:03:35 (2025), 1:04:46 (2022).
  • Yalemzerf Yehualaw also ran 1:03:44 (2021, not legal), 1:04:22 (2022), 1:04:40 (2021), 1:04:46 (2020).
  • Joyciline Jepkosgei also ran 1:04:29 (2024), 1:04:46 (2023), 1:04:51 (2017), 1:04:52 (2017).
  • Hellen Obiri also ran 1:04:22 (2022), 1:04:48 (2022), 1:04:51 (2021).
  • Brigid Kosgei also ran 1:04:50 (2020), 1:04:50 (2020), 1:04:50 (2019, not legal).
  • Ruth Chepngetich also ran 1:04:16 (2024).

Season's bests

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.

YearMarkMenPlaceMarkWomenPlace
1970Derek GrahamBelfast
1971Ron HillFreckletonKathy GibbonsPhoenix
1972Víctor Manuel MoraCoamoNadia GarciaSan Diego
1973Mario CuevasMaracaibo
1974Vladimir MerkushinWiezeChantal LanglacéAy
1975Paul AngenvoorthGrevenmacher
1976Rafael PérezCoamoRita BorralhoNazaré
1977Toshihiro MatsumotoBeppuSilvana CruciataMilan
1978Tony SimmonsWelwyn Garden CityMarty CookseySan Diego
1979Kirk PfefferLas VegasPatti CatalanoManchester
1980Stan MavisNew OrleansMarja WokkeThe Hague
1981Herb LindsayManchesterJoan SamuelsonSan Diego
1982Michael MusyokiPhiladelphiaGrete WaitzGothenburg
1983Paul CummingsDaytonJoan SamuelsonPhiladelphia
1984Alberto CovaMilanJoan SamuelsonPhiladelphia
1985Mark CurpPhiladelphiaJoan SamuelsonPhiladelphia
1986Michael MusyokiSouth ShieldsIngrid KristiansenDrammen
1987Carl ThackeryBarnsleyIngrid KristiansenSandnes
1988John TreacySouth ShieldsGrete WaitzSouth Shields
1989Matthews TemaneDurbanIngrid KristiansenNew Bedford
1990Steve MoneghettiSouth ShieldsRosa MotaSouth Shields
1991Moses TanuiMilanElana MeyerEast London
1992Benson MasyaSouth ShieldsLiz McColganDundee
1993Moses TanuiMilanValentina YegorovaSt Petersburg
1994Benson MasyaSouth ShieldsUta PippigKyoto
1995Simon LopuyetLisbonUta PippigKyoto
1996Paul KoechIvry-sur-SeineNadia PrasadParis
1997Shem KororiaKošiceElana MeyerKyoto
1998Paul TergatMilanElana MeyerKyoto
1999Paul TergatMilanElana MeyerTokyo
2000Kenichi TakahashiTokyoPaula RadcliffeSouth Shields
2001Fabián RonceroBerlinPaula RadcliffeBristol
2002Haile GebrselassieLisbonSonia O'SullivanSouth Shields
2003Hendrick RamaalaSouth ShieldsPaula RadcliffeSouth Shields
2004Dejene BerhanuSouth ShieldsBenita JohnsonSouth Shields
2005Zersenay TadeseSouth ShieldsDerartu TuluSouth Shields
2006Haile GebrselassieTempeEdith MasaiBerlin
2007Samuel WanjiruThe HagueLornah KiplagatUdine
2008Haile Gebrselassie
Deriba MergaLisbon
New DelhiPhiles OngoriMarugame
2009Patrick MakauRas al-KhaimahMary KeitanyBirmingham
2010Zersenay TadeseLisbonElvan AbeylegesseRas al-Khaimah
2011Zersenay TadeseLisbonMary KeitanyRas al-Khaimah
2012Atsedu TsegayPragueMary KeitanyRas al-Khaimah
2013Geoffrey KipsangRas al-KhaimahLucy KabuuRas al-Khaimah
2014Abraham CherobenValenciaFlorence KiplagatBarcelona
2015Abraham CherobenValenciaFlorence KiplagatBarcelona
2016Solomon YegoOstiaViolah JepchumbaPrague
2017Abraham CherobenCopenhagenJoyciline JepkosgeiValencia
2018Abraham KiptumValenciaFancy ChemutaiRas al-Khaimah
2019Geoffrey KamwororCopenhagenBrigid KosgeiManama
2020Kibiwott KandieValenciaAbabel YeshanehRas al-Khaimah
2021Jacob KiplimoLisbonLetesenbet GideyValencia
2022Jacob KiplimoRas al-KhaimahGirmawit GebrzihairRas al-Khaimah
2023Kibiwott KandieValenciaIrine KimaisBarcelona
2024Yomif KejelchaValenciaAgnes NgetichValencia

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

Notes

References

References

  1. "USATF: Course Measurement and Certification Procedures".
  2. (2023-03-28). "Chip timing". Wikipedia.
  3. Emeterio Valiente. (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF.
  4. "Records by discipline: Women's outdoor half marathon".
  5. Kim, Juliana. (2025-02-16). "Jacob Kiplimo sets new half marathon record, finishes in under 57 minutes". NPR.
  6. "Stats {{!}} World Athletics {{!}} World Athletics".
  7. Hanc, John. (July 24, 2008). "Sometimes Half Is Better Than Whole". NY Times.
  8. (2022-07-01). "THE HISTORY OF THE HALF". Runner's World.
  9. "Men's Half Marathon All-time toplist".
  10. (8 December 2020). "All-time men's best half-marathon".
  11. Valiente, Emeterio. (February 16, 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón".
  12. "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia {{!}} REPORT {{!}} World Athletics".
  13. Emeterio Valiente. (6 December 2020). "57:32! Kandie crushes half marathon world record in Valencia". World Athletics.
  14. "Kandie and Chelimo victorious in Valencia {{!}} REPORTS {{!}} World Athletics".
  15. (15 September 2019). "Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world record".
  16. (6 March 2022). "Mokoka breaks world 50km record with 2:40:13 in Gqeberha". [[World Athletics]].
  17. (24 October 2021). "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". [[World Athletics]].
  18. (15 September 2024). "Sawe and Kipkemboi claim Copenhagen Half Marathon crowns". [[World Athletics]].
  19. "Half Marathon - men - senior - all".
  20. "Men's Half Marathon Results".
  21. "Men's Half Marathon Results".
  22. "Men's Half Marathon Results".
  23. Jess Whittington. (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  24. Emeterio Valiente. (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF.
  25. Jess Whittington. (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  26. Jess Whittington. (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  27. "Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon".
  28. Emeterio Valiente. (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia".
  29. "Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon".
  30. (5 September 2020). "Jepchirchir smashes women-only half marathon world record in Prague". [[World Athletics]].
  31. "Abraham Kiptum: Kenyan runner gets four-year ban for anti-doping violation - BBC Sport".
  32. "Tadese blazes 58:30 in Lisbon, second fastest Half Marathon ever | NEWS | World Athletics".
  33. "Women's Half Marathon All-time toplist".
  34. (26 October 2025). "All-time women's best half-marathon".
  35. (24 October 2021). "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". [[World Athletics]].
  36. Emeterio Valiente. (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia".
  37. (4 April 2021). "Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbul". World Athletics.
  38. Emeterio Valiente. (16 February 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón".
  39. Jess Whittington. (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  40. (10 March 2025). "Tsigie Gebreselama pulverizou recorde pessoal na EDP Meia Maratona de Lisboa".
  41. (21 February 2020). "Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  42. Valiente, Emeterio. (19 February 2023). "Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimah".
  43. (14 January 2024). "2024 Houston Half Marathon Results".
  44. Emeterio Valiente. (11 February 2024). "Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona".
  45. (14 September 2025). "Amebaw runs 1:04:44 at Copenhagen Half Marathon".
  46. (22 October 2023). "Kipkemboi and Kandie win Valencia Half Marathon".
  47. (9 February 2018). "Chemutai runs 1:04:52 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon".
  48. (16 January 2022). "Chepngeno and Kiplimo win Houston Half Marathon".
  49. (7 April 2018). "Chelimo runs 1:05:04 at Prague Half Marathon".
  50. "Jepkosgei breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics".
  51. Whittington, Jess. (2022-03-27). "Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul".
  52. "Yearly Ranking Leaders: Half Marathon".
  53. (February 18, 2011). "Keitany smashes half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah".
  54. "Bridge Race 2000".
  55. (8 June 2023). "Senaste".
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