Yomif Kedjelcha crossed the finish line in Buenos Aires alone, more than two minutes ahead of the nearest pursuer. The time of 56:51 is not just a number, but the return of the world record to the hands of the 29-year-old Ethiopian, who had already held it since October 2024.
Five months ago, Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo improved the previous mark to 57:20 in Lisbon. Kedjelcha responded not just faster — he shaved off 29 seconds at once, showing how the strategy of progressive pace works: the first five kilometers in 13:44, then acceleration to 13:21 on the segment 10–15 km. Ethiopians swept the podium, and the second result of Tadese Worku — 59:20 — is also below the one-hour mark.
Behind this duel lies not only the personal rivalry of two athletes. Kedjelcha and Kiplimo together hold seven of the eleven best results in the history of the distance. Each new record forces federations and sponsors to reconsider course conditions, pacing rules, and even starting formats. Kiplimo's Barcelona race in 2025 was never ratified due to too close following of a vehicle — a reminder that in big sport, rules often matter more than pure speed.
Kedjelcha came to the half marathon after an impressive marathon debut: in London he ran 1:59:41, losing only to Kenyan Sebastian Sawe. This is not a coincidence, but the result of years of work on endurance and tactics. The Ethiopian school of long-distance running again proves its superiority — not through individual talents, but thanks to a training system where every athlete knows the value of gradual acceleration and the ability to read their own body to the limit.
Imagine a chess player who, after losing a game, returns and wins the match overall. That is what the current duel looks like: Kiplimo took one set, Kedjelcha — the return. The next move is likely again for the Ugandan, but it is already clear that the sub-57 minute mark has become the new norm for the elite.
The record in South America is the first in history for a men's half marathon or marathon on this continent. This is not only a sporting achievement, but also a signal that the global running map continues to change: from traditional European and African courses to new markets and conditions.
Kedjelcha and Kiplimo continue to push each other further, and the next record, in all likelihood, awaits us in the coming months.
