Uganda’s distance running star Jacob Kiplimo delivered a historic performance at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, winning the race in an astonishing 57:20 and breaking the official half marathon world record.

The remarkable run shaved 10 seconds off the previous official record of 57:30, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha during the Valencia Half Marathon in 2024. As with all world records, the mark now awaits the standard ratification process by World Athletics.

If confirmed, the performance will place Kiplimo firmly back at the top of the half marathon record books.

A Special Return to Lisbon

Lisbon has long been a significant stage in Kiplimo’s career. In 2021, the Ugandan runner stunned the athletics world on the same course by clocking 57:31, becoming the youngest athlete to set a half marathon world record at just 20 years old.

That time stood as the global benchmark until late 2024, when Kejelcha narrowly improved it.

Kiplimo’s return to the Portuguese capital in 2026 carried an added sense of unfinished business. The Ugandan champion had already proven his ability to run even faster.

In 2025, he produced one of the most extraordinary performances in distance running history at the Barcelona Half Marathon, finishing in 56:42 and becoming the first athlete ever to break the 57-minute barrier.

However, that time was not ratified by World Athletics after officials determined that a lead pace vehicle may have provided aerodynamic assistance during the race.

A Record-Breaking Performance

Kiplimo’s 57:20 in Lisbon now stands as one of the fastest half marathons ever recorded under official race conditions.

The pace required to achieve that time is staggering:

• Average pace: roughly 2 minutes 43 seconds per kilometer

• About 4 minutes 23 seconds per mile

• Sustained across the full 21.1 kilometers of the half marathon distance

In elite distance running, improvements at this level are usually measured in just a few seconds. Cutting 10 seconds from an existing world record is considered a major leap forward.

A Career Defined by Speed

At 25 years old, Kiplimo has already built one of the most impressive resumes in modern distance running.

In addition to his dominance on the roads, he has excelled in track and cross-country competitions. He also made headlines in 2025 by running an impressive 2:02:23 marathon at the Chicago Marathon.

His ability to compete across multiple distances has cemented his reputation as one of the most versatile endurance athletes of his generation.

Celebrations Across the Running World

Following the Lisbon victory, fans and athletes around the world flooded social media with praise for the Ugandan star, celebrating both the time and the determination behind it.

For many supporters, the performance also represents redemption after the disappointment of the unratified Barcelona record.

Now, as the athletics community awaits official confirmation from World Athletics, one thing is already certain: Jacob Kiplimo continues to redefine what is possible in distance running.

And if his trajectory continues, the history books may not be finished changing just yet.