Yomif Kejelcha Reclaims World Half Marathon Record with 56:51 in Buenos Aires

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2026 (FMC) — #Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha delivered a stunning performance at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon on Sunday, reclaiming the men’s world half marathon record with a time of 56:51.

Kejelcha’s mark lowered the previous ratified world record of 57:20, set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo at the Lisbon Half Marathon in March 2026. It also improved Kejelcha’s previous world record of 57:30, set in Valencia in October 2024.

Kejelcha had previously lost the record to Kiplimo, who had also run 56:42 in Barcelona in February 2025. That performance, however, was not ratified as a world record because of an issue involving pacing assistance.

In Buenos Aires, Kejelcha produced a commanding performance and finished well clear of his Ethiopian compatriots Tadese Worku Gebresilase, who placed second in 59:20, and Bereket Nega Batebo, who finished third in 1:00:20. Kenya’s Jonathan Kipkoech Kamosong was fourth in 1:00:21.

The new mark adds another major achievement to Kejelcha’s career and re-establishes Ethiopia at the top of the men’s half marathon world record list.

Kejelcha previously set the world record in Valencia in 2024 with his 57:30 performance, continuing a remarkable career across both track and road distance events.

The Buenos Aires performance is subject to the customary World Athletics ratification process.