Half marathon
EventHalf marathon
WrmenJacob Kiplimo 57:20 (2026)
Wrwomen': Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)
': Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:16 (2020)

A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (c. 13 mi 192.5 yd)—half the distance of a marathon.[1] 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.[2] 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.[example needed]

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics.[3][4] The men's world record time is 57:20, set by Jacob Kiplimo in 2026 in Lisbon. Kiplimo also ran 56:42 in Barcelona but this mark was not ratified by World Athletics due to his proximity to the lead car.[5] 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.[6]

Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003,[7] partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does.[7] In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon was the fastest-growing type of race.[7]

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.[8] 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.

Area records

AreaMenWomen
TimeSeasonAthleteTimeSeasonAthlete
World57:202026Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)1:02:52 2021Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia)
Area records
Africa (records)57:202026Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)1:02:52 2021Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia)
Asia (records)58:232026Birhanu Balew (Bahrain)1:05:22 2017Violah Jepchumba (Bahrain)
Europe (records)58:412025Andreas Almgren (Sweden)1:05:15 2018Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)
North, Central America
and Caribbean (records)		59:152025Conner Mantz (United States)1:06:042026Weini Kelati (United States)
Oceania (records)59:472015Zane Robertson (New Zealand)1:07:112011Kimberley Smith (New Zealand)
South America (records)59:332007Marílson Gomes dos Santos (Brazil)1:09:212025Florencia Borelli (Argentina)

All-time top 25

Men

RankTimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
156:42[a]Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)16 February 2025Barcelona[13]
257:30Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia)27 October 2024Valencia[14]
357:32Kibiwott Kandie (Kenya)6 December 2020Valencia[15]
457:41Hagos Gebrhiwet (Ethiopia)22 October 2023Valencia[16]
557:50Selemon Barega (Ethiopia)22 October 2023Valencia[16]
657:59Alexander Mutiso (Kenya)6 December 2020Valencia[15]
758:01Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya)15 September 2019Copenhagen[17]
858:02Sabastian Sawe (Kenya)6 March 2022Rome–Ostia[18]
958:07Abel Kipchumba (Kenya)24 October 2021Valencia[19]
1058:08Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (Kenya)8 March 2026Lisboa[20]
1158:10Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (Kenya)15 September 2024Copenhagen[21]
1258:11Philemon Kiplimo (Kenya)6 December 2020Valencia[15]
1358:16Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI)28 March 2026Prague[22]
1458:17Daniel Mateiko (Kenya)27 October 2024Valencia[23]
1558:23Zersenay Tadese (ERI)21 March 2010Lisbon[24]
Birhanu Balew (Bahrain)14 February 2026Ras Al Khaimah[25]
1758:24Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya)14 September 2025Copenhagen[26]
1858:27Gilbert Kipkosgei Kiprotich (Kenya)23 March 2025Malaga[27]
1958:28Kennedy Kimutai (Kenya)24 October 2021Valencia[19]
2058:33Samuel Wanjiru (Kenya)17 March 2007The Hague[28]
Jemal Yimer (Ethiopia)28 October 2018Valencia[29]
2258:35Kenneth Kiprop Renju (Kenya)19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[30]
2358:36Seifu Tura Abdiwak (Ethiopia)19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[31]
2458:38Gideon Kipkertich Rono (Kenya)14 February 2026Ras Al Khaimah[25]
2558:39Gemechu Dida (Ethiopia)27 October 2024Valencia[32]
Brian Kibor (Kenya)26 October 2025Valencia[33]

Notes

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

Performance annulled due to doping offences:

TimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
57:49Rhonex Kipruto (Kenya)6 December 2020Valencia[15]
58:30Rodgers Kwemoi (Kenya)19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[37]

Women

  • Correct as of February 2026.

[38] [39]

RankTimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
11:02:52Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia)24 October 2021Valencia[40]
21:03:04Agnes Jebet Ngetich (Kenya)27 October 2024Valencia[41]
31:03:21Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia)27 October 2024Valencia[41]
41:03:32Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (Kenya)27 October 2024Valencia[41]
51:03:51Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia)24 October 2021Valencia[40]
61:04:01Loice Chemnung (Kenya)15 February 2026Barcelona[42][43]
71:04:02Ruth Chepng'etich (Kenya)4 April 2021Istanbul[44]
81:04:13Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya)16 February 2025Barcelona[45]
91:04:14Girmawit Gebrzihair (Ethiopia)19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[46]
101:04:14Ejgayehu Taye (Ethiopia)27 October 2024Valencia[41]
111:04:21Tsigie Gebreselama (Ethiopia)9 March 2025Lisboa[47]
121:04:22Hellen Obiri (Kenya)19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[46]
131:04:31Ababel Yeshaneh (Ethiopia)21 February 2020Ras al-Khaimah[48]
141:04:36Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya)19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[46]
151:04:37Irine Kimais (Kenya)19 February 2023Barcelona[49]
161:04:37Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia)14 January 2024Houston[50]
171:04:40Senbere Teferi (Ethiopia)11 February 2024Barcelona[51]
181:04:44Likina Amebaw (Ethiopia)14 September 2025Copenhagen[52]
191:04:46Margaret Kipkemboi (Kenya)22 October 2023Valencia[53]
201:04:49Brigid Kosgei (Kenya)21 February 2020Ras al-Khaimah[48]
Fantaye Belayneh (Ethiopia)11 January 2026Houston[54]
221:04:52Fancy Chemutai (Kenya)9 February 2018Ras al-Khaimah[55]
231:04:53Irine Chepet Cheptai (Kenya)22 October 2023Valencia[53]
241:04:55Mary Keitany (Kenya)9 February 2018Ras al-Khaimah[55]
251:05:00Sharon Lokedi (Kenya)14 September 2025Copenhagen[52]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:00:

World leading times

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.[58]

YearTimeMenPlaceTimeWomenPlace
1970Derek Graham (United Kingdom)Belfast
1971Ron Hill (United Kingdom)FreckletonKathy Gibbons (United States)Phoenix
1972Víctor Manuel Mora (Colombia)CoamoNadia Garcia (United States)San Diego
1973Mario Cuevas (Mexico)Maracaibo
1974Vladimir Merkushin (Soviet Union)WiezeChantal Langlacé (France)Ay
1975Paul Angenvoorth (West Germany)Grevenmacher
1976Rafael Pérez (Costa Rica)CoamoRita Borralho (Portugal)Nazaré
1977Toshihiro Matsumoto (Japan)BeppuSilvana Cruciata (Italy)Milan
1978Tony Simmons (United Kingdom)Welwyn Garden CityMarty Cooksey (United States)San Diego
1979Kirk Pfeffer (United States)Las VegasPatti Catalano (United States)Manchester
1980Stan Mavis (United States)New OrleansMarja Wokke (Netherlands)The Hague
1981Herb Lindsay (United States)ManchesterJoan Samuelson (United States)San Diego
1982Michael Musyoki (Kenya)PhiladelphiaGrete Waitz (Norway)Gothenburg
1983Paul Cummings (United States)DaytonJoan Samuelson (United States)Philadelphia
1984Alberto Cova (Italy)MilanJoan Samuelson (United States)Philadelphia
1985Mark Curp (United States)PhiladelphiaJoan Samuelson (United States)Philadelphia
1986Michael Musyoki (Kenya)South ShieldsIngrid Kristiansen (Norway)Drammen
1987Carl Thackery (United Kingdom)BarnsleyIngrid Kristiansen (Norway)Sandnes
1988John Treacy (Ireland)South ShieldsGrete Waitz (Norway)South Shields
1989Matthews Temane (South Africa)DurbanIngrid Kristiansen (Norway)New Bedford
1990Steve Moneghetti (Australia)South ShieldsRosa Mota (Portugal)South Shields
1991Moses Tanui (Kenya)MilanElana Meyer (South Africa)East London
1992Benson Masya (Kenya)South ShieldsLiz McColgan (United Kingdom)Dundee
1993Moses Tanui (Kenya)Milan[b]Valentina Yegorova (Russia)St Petersburg
1994Benson Masya (Kenya)South ShieldsUta Pippig (Germany)Kyoto
1995Simon Lopuyet (Kenya)LisbonUta Pippig (Germany)Kyoto
1996Paul Koech (Kenya)Ivry-sur-SeineNadia Prasad (NCL)Paris
1997Shem Kororia (Kenya)KošiceElana Meyer (South Africa)Kyoto
1998Paul Tergat (Kenya)MilanElana Meyer (South Africa)Kyoto
1999Paul Tergat (Kenya)MilanElana Meyer (South Africa)Tokyo
2000Kenichi Takahashi (Japan)TokyoPaula Radcliffe (United Kingdom)South Shields
2001Fabián Roncero (Spain)BerlinPaula Radcliffe (United Kingdom)Bristol
2002Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)LisbonSonia O'Sullivan (Ireland)South Shields
2003Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa)South ShieldsPaula Radcliffe (United Kingdom)South Shields
2004Dejene Berhanu (Ethiopia)South ShieldsBenita Johnson (Australia)South Shields
2005Zersenay Tadese (ERI)South ShieldsDerartu Tulu (Ethiopia)South Shields
2006Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)TempeEdith Masai (Kenya)Berlin
2007Samuel Wanjiru (Kenya)The HagueLornah Kiplagat (Netherlands)Udine
2008Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)
Deriba Merga (Ethiopia)		Lisbon
New Delhi		Philes Ongori (Kenya)Marugame
2009Patrick Makau (Kenya)Ras al-KhaimahMary Keitany (Kenya)Birmingham
2010Zersenay Tadese (ERI)LisbonElvan Abeylegesse (Turkey)Ras al-Khaimah
2011Zersenay Tadese (ERI)Lisbon[59]Mary Keitany (Kenya)Ras al-Khaimah
2012Atsedu Tsegay (Ethiopia)PragueMary Keitany (Kenya)Ras al-Khaimah
2013Geoffrey Kipsang (Kenya)Ras al-KhaimahLucy Kabuu (Kenya)Ras al-Khaimah
2014Abraham Cheroben (Kenya)ValenciaFlorence Kiplagat (Kenya)Barcelona
2015Abraham Cheroben (Kenya)ValenciaFlorence Kiplagat (Kenya)Barcelona
2016Solomon Yego (Kenya)OstiaViolah Jepchumba (Kenya)Prague
2017Abraham Cheroben (Bahrain)CopenhagenJoyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya)Valencia
2018Abraham Kiptum (Kenya)ValenciaFancy Chemutai (Kenya)Ras al-Khaimah
2019Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya)CopenhagenBrigid Kosgei (Kenya)Manama
2020Kibiwott Kandie (Kenya)ValenciaAbabel Yeshaneh (Ethiopia)Ras al-Khaimah
2021Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)LisbonLetesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia)Valencia
2022Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)Ras al-KhaimahGirmawit Gebrzihair (Ethiopia)Ras al-Khaimah
2023Kibiwott Kandie (Kenya)ValenciaIrine Kimais (Kenya)Barcelona
2024Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia)ValenciaAgnes Ngetich (Kenya)Valencia
2025Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)BarcelonaAgnes Ngetich (Kenya)Valencia

The largest half marathon ever held was Broloppet (the Bridge race) between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden with 79,719 finishers, held in connection with the Øresund Bridge inauguration in 2000.[60][61]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Not ratified as a world record due to the runner's proximity to the lead pace car
  2. ^ Published in IAAF documents, including IAAF top lists Archived 2009-02-16 at the Wayback Machine. The ARRS has suggested that the Stramilano half marathon course might have been short in 1993 and lists the best time for 1993 as 1:00:15 by Moses Tanui from Kenya.

References

  1. ^ "USATF: Course Measurement and Certification Procedures". Archived from the original on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  2. ^ "Chip timing", Wikipedia, 2023-03-28, retrieved 2023-07-16
  3. ^ Emeterio Valiente (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Records by discipline: Women's outdoor half marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  5. ^ "World Athletics borra el récord mundial de medio maratón de Jacob Kiplimo por aprovechar el rebufo de un coche" (in es-ES). Runner's World. 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  6. ^ "Stats | World Athletics | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
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  10. ^ "Women's Half Marathon | Records". worldathletics.org. World Athletics. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
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  15. ^ Emeterio Valiente (6 December 2020). "57:32! Kandie crushes half marathon world record in Valencia". World Athletics. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
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  32. ^ Emeterio Valiente (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  33. ^ "Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Jepchirchir smashes women-only half marathon world record in Prague". World Athletics. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Abraham Kiptum: Kenyan runner gets four-year ban for anti-doping violation - BBC Sport". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  36. ^ "Tadese blazes 58:30 in Lisbon, second fastest Half Marathon ever | NEWS | World Athletics". Archived 2020-09-20 at the Wayback Machine.
  37. ^ "Kenyan runner Kwemoi banned 6 years for blood doping". ESPN. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
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  42. ^ "Weini Kelati Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Result". mitjamarato.barcelona. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
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  44. ^ "Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbul". World Athletics. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  45. ^ Emeterio Valiente (16 February 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón". World Athletics. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  46. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  47. ^ "Tsigie Gebreselama pulverizou recorde pessoal na EDP Meia Maratona de Lisboa". Jogada do Mes. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  48. ^ "Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  49. ^ Valiente, Emeterio (19 February 2023). "Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  50. ^ "2024 Houston Half Marathon Results". track.rtrt.me. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  51. ^ Emeterio Valiente (11 February 2024). "Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona". World Athletics. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  52. ^ "Amebaw runs 1:04:44 at Copenhagen Half Marathon". World Athletics. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  53. ^ "Kipkemboi and Kandie win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  54. ^ "Ethiopia's Fantaye Belayneh wins women's Aramco Houston Half Marathon". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  55. ^ "Chemutai runs 1:04:52 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon". World Athletics. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  56. ^ Whittington, Jess (2022-03-27). "Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul". World Athletics. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  57. ^ "Jepkosgei breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics". Archived 2020-10-23 at the Wayback Machine.
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  59. ^ "Keitany smashes half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". IAAF. February 18, 2011. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  60. ^ "Bridge Race 2000". Archived from the original on 2004-11-19. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  61. ^ "Senaste". Marathon.se. 8 June 2023.

Further reading

  • Nilson, Finn; Lundkvist, Erik; Wagnsson, Stefan; Gustafsson, Henrik (2019-12-19). "Has the second 'running boom' democratized running? A study on the sociodemographic characteristics of finishers at the world's largest half marathon". Sport in Society. 24 (4): 659–669. doi:10.1080/17430437.2019.1703687. ISSN 1743-0437