Athletics
Half marathon
Half marathon runners in the 2024 Dallas Marathon
World records
Men Yomif Kejelcha 57:30 (2024)
WomenMx: Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)
Wo: 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.

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics.[3][4] The men's world record time is 57:30, set by Yomif Kejelcha in 2024 in Valencia, Spain. Jacob Kiplimo 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.

All-time top 25

Men

Rank Time Athlete Date Place Ref
1 56:42[a]  Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 16 February 2025 Barcelona [11]
2 57:30  Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [12]
3 57:32  Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [13]
4 57:41  Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) 22 October 2023 Valencia [14]
5 57:50  Selemon Barega (ETH) 22 October 2023 Valencia [14]
6 57:59  Alexander Mutiso (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [13]
7 58:01  Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 15 September 2019 Copenhagen [15]
8 58:02  Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 6 March 2022 Rome–Ostia [16]
9 58:07  Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [17]
10 58:10  Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) 15 September 2024 Copenhagen [18]
11 58:11  Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [13]
12 58:17  Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 27 October 2024 Valencia [19]
13 58:23  Zersenay Tadese (ERI) 21 March 2010 Lisbon [20]
 Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (KEN) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [21]
 Birhanu Balew (BHR) 14 February 2026 Ras Al Khaimah [22]
16 58:24  Vincent Kibet Langat (KEN) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [23]
17 58:27  Gilbert Kipkosgei Kiprotich (KEN) 23 March 2025 Malaga [24]
18 58:28  Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [17]
19 58:33  Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) 17 March 2007 The Hague [25]
 Jemal Yimer (ETH) 28 October 2018 Valencia [26]
21 58:35  Kenneth Kiprop Renju (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [27]
22 58:36  Seifu Tura Abdiwak (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [28]
23 58:38  Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 26 October 2025 Valencia [29]
 Gideon Kipkertich Rono (KEN) 14 February 2026 Ras Al Khaimah [22]
25 58:39  Gemechu Dida (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [30]
 Brian Kibor (KEN) 26 October 2025 Valencia [31]

Notes

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

Performance annulled due to doping offences:

Time Athlete Date Place Ref
57:49  Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [13]
58:30  Rodgers Kwemoi (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [35]

Women

[36] [37]

Rank Time Athlete Date Place Ref
1 1:02:52 Mx  Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [38]
2 1:03:04 Mx  Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN) 27 October 2024 Valencia [39]
3 1:03:21 Mx  Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [39]
4 1:03:32 Mx  Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) 27 October 2024 Valencia [39]
5 1:03:51 Mx  Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [38]
6 1:04:01 Mx  Loice Chemnung (KEN) 15 February 2026 Barcelona [40][41]
7 1:04:02 Mx  Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 4 April 2021 Istanbul [42]
8 1:04:13 Mx  Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 16 February 2025 Barcelona [43]
9 1:04:14 Mx  Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [44]
10 1:04:14 Mx  Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) 27 October 2024 Valencia [39]
11 1:04:21  Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH) 9 March 2025 Lisboa [45]
12 1:04:22 Mx  Hellen Obiri (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [44]
13 1:04:31 Mx  Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 21 February 2020 Ras al-Khaimah [46]
14 1:04:36 Mx  Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [44]
15 1:04:37  Irine Kimais (KEN) 19 February 2023 Barcelona [47]
16 1:04:37 Mx  Sutume Kebede (ETH) 14 January 2024 Houston [48]
17 1:04:40 Mx  Senbere Teferi (ETH) 11 February 2024 Barcelona [49]
18 1:04:44  Likina Amebaw (ETH) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [50]
19 1:04:46  Margaret Kipkemboi (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [51]
20 1:04:49 Mx  Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 21 February 2020 Ras al-Khaimah [46]
 Fantaye Belayneh (ETH) 11 January 2026 Houston [52]
22 1:04:52  Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [53]
23 1:04:53  Irine Chepet Cheptai (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [51]
24 1:04:55  Mary Keitany (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [53]
25 1:05:00  Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 14 September 2025 Copenhagen [50]

Notes

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

Season's bests

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.[56]

Year Mark Men Place Mark Women Place
1970 1:03:53  Derek Graham (GBR) Belfast
1971 1:05:25  Ron Hill (GBR) Freckleton 1:23:56  Kathy Gibbons (USA) Phoenix
1972 1:04:23  Víctor Manuel Mora (COL) Coamo 1:31:55  Nadia Garcia (USA) San Diego
1973 1:05:07  Mario Cuevas (MEX) Maracaibo
1974 1:04:45  Vladimir Merkushin (URS) Wieze 1:23:11  Chantal Langlacé (FRA) Ay
1975 1:05:08  Paul Angenvoorth (FRG) Grevenmacher
1976 1:03:46  Rafael Pérez (CRC) Coamo 1:29:43  Rita Borralho (POR) Nazaré
1977 1:02:37  Toshihiro Matsumoto (JPN) Beppu 1:22:05  Silvana Cruciata (ITA) Milan
1978 1:02:47  Tony Simmons (GBR) Welwyn Garden City 1:15:04  Marty Cooksey (USA) San Diego
1979 1:02:32  Kirk Pfeffer (USA) Las Vegas 1:14:03  Patti Catalano (USA) Manchester
1980 1:02:16  Stan Mavis (USA) New Orleans 1:13:59  Marja Wokke (NED) The Hague
1981 1:01:47  Herb Lindsay (USA) Manchester 1:11:16  Joan Samuelson (USA) San Diego
1982 1:01:36  Michael Musyoki (KEN) Philadelphia 1:09:57  Grete Waitz (NOR) Gothenburg
1983 1:01:32  Paul Cummings (USA) Dayton 1:09:10  Joan Samuelson (USA) Philadelphia
1984 1:01:52  Alberto Cova (ITA) Milan 1:08:34  Joan Samuelson (USA) Philadelphia
1985 1:00:55  Mark Curp (USA) Philadelphia 1:09:44  Joan Samuelson (USA) Philadelphia
1986 1:00:43  Michael Musyoki (KEN) South Shields 1:09:03  Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) Drammen
1987 1:01:04  Carl Thackery (GBR) Barnsley 1:06:40  Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) Sandnes
1988 1:01:00  John Treacy (IRL) South Shields 1:08:49  Grete Waitz (NOR) South Shields
1989 1:01:10  Matthews Temane (RSA) Durban 1:08:31  Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) New Bedford
1990 1:00:34  Steve Moneghetti (AUS) South Shields 1:09:33  Rosa Mota (POR) South Shields
1991 1:00:51  Moses Tanui (KEN) Milan 1:07:59  Elana Meyer (RSA) East London
1992 1:00:24  Benson Masya (KEN) South Shields 1:08:42  Liz McColgan (GBR) Dundee
1993 59:47  Moses Tanui (KEN) Milan[b] 1:09:35  Valentina Yegorova (RUS) St Petersburg
1994 1:00:02  Benson Masya (KEN) South Shields 1:07:59  Uta Pippig (GER) Kyoto
1995 1:00:26  Simon Lopuyet (KEN) Lisbon 1:07:59  Uta Pippig (GER) Kyoto
1996 1:00:31  Paul Koech (KEN) Ivry-sur-Seine 1:09:15  Nadia Prasad (NCL) Paris
1997 59:56  Shem Kororia (KEN) Košice 1:07:36  Elana Meyer (RSA) Kyoto
1998 59:17  Paul Tergat (KEN) Milan 1:07:29  Elana Meyer (RSA) Kyoto
1999 59:22  Paul Tergat (KEN) Milan 1:06:44  Elana Meyer (RSA) Tokyo
2000 1:00:30  Kenichi Takahashi (JPN) Tokyo 1:07:07  Paula Radcliffe (GBR) South Shields
2001 59:52  Fabián Roncero (ESP) Berlin 1:06:47  Paula Radcliffe (GBR) Bristol
2002 59:41  Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Lisbon 1:07:19  Sonia O'Sullivan (IRL) South Shields
2003 1:00:01  Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) South Shields 1:05:39  Paula Radcliffe (GBR) South Shields
2004 59:37  Dejene Berhanu (ETH) South Shields 1:07:55  Benita Johnson (AUS) South Shields
2005 59:05  Zersenay Tadese (ERI) South Shields 1:07:33  Derartu Tulu (ETH) South Shields
2006 58:55  Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Tempe 1:07:16  Edith Masai (KEN) Berlin
2007 58:35  Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) The Hague 1:06:25  Lornah Kiplagat (NED) Udine
2008 59:15  Haile Gebrselassie (ETH)
 Deriba Merga (ETH) 		Lisbon
New Delhi 		1:07:57  Philes Ongori (KEN) Marugame
2009 58:52  Patrick Makau (KEN) Ras al-Khaimah 1:06:36  Mary Keitany (KEN) Birmingham
2010 58:23  Zersenay Tadese (ERI) Lisbon 1:07:07  Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) Ras al-Khaimah
2011 58:30  Zersenay Tadese (ERI) Lisbon 1:05:50[57]  Mary Keitany (KEN) Ras al-Khaimah
2012 58:47  Atsedu Tsegay (ETH) Prague 1:06:49  Mary Keitany (KEN) Ras al-Khaimah
2013 58:54  Geoffrey Kipsang (KEN) Ras al-Khaimah 1:06:09  Lucy Kabuu (KEN) Ras al-Khaimah
2014 58:48  Abraham Cheroben (KEN) Valencia 1:05:12  Florence Kiplagat (KEN) Barcelona
2015 59:10  Abraham Cheroben (KEN) Valencia 1:05:09  Florence Kiplagat (KEN) Barcelona
2016 58:44  Solomon Yego (KEN) Ostia 1:05:51  Violah Jepchumba (KEN) Prague
2017 58:40  Abraham Cheroben (BHR) Copenhagen 1:04:51  Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) Valencia
2018 58:18  Abraham Kiptum (KEN) Valencia 1:04:52  Fancy Chemutai (KEN) Ras al-Khaimah
2019 58:01  Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) Copenhagen 1:05:28  Brigid Kosgei (KEN) Manama
2020 57:32  Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) Valencia 1:04:31  Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) Ras al-Khaimah
2021 57:31  Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) Lisbon 1:02:52  Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) Valencia
2022 57:56  Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) Ras al-Khaimah 1:04:14  Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) Ras al-Khaimah
2023 57:40  Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) Valencia 1:04:37  Irine Kimais (KEN) Barcelona
2024 57:30  Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) Valencia 1:03:04  Agnes Ngetich (KEN) 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.[58][59]

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" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-06-29.
  2. "Chip timing", Wikipedia, 2023-03-28
  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". IAAF.
  5. "World Athletics borra el récord mundial de medio maratón de Jacob Kiplimo por aprovechar el rebufo de un coche". Runner's World (in European Spanish). 2026-02-03.
  6. "Stats | World Athletics | World Athletics". worldathletics.org.
  7. Hanc, John (July 24, 2008). "Sometimes Half Is Better Than Whole". NY Times.
  8. "THE HISTORY OF THE HALF". Runner's World. 2022-07-01.
  9. "Men's Half Marathon All-time toplist". World Athletics.
  10. "All-time men's best half-marathon". alltime-athletics.com. 8 December 2020.
  11. Valiente, Emeterio (February 16, 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón". World Athletics.
  12. "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org.
  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". worldathletics.org.
  15. "Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world record". bbc.co.uk. 15 September 2019.
  16. "Mokoka breaks world 50km record with 2:40:13 in Gqeberha". World Athletics. 6 March 2022.
  17. "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021.
  18. "Sawe and Kipkemboi claim Copenhagen Half Marathon crowns". World Athletics. 15 September 2024.
  19. "Half Marathon - men - senior - all". worldathletics.org.
  20. "Zersenay TADESE Profile".
  21. "Men's Half Marathon Results". cphhalf.dk.
  22. "Men's Half Marathon Results". World Athletics.
  23. "Men's Half Marathon Results". cphhalf.dk.
  24. "Men's Half Marathon Results". World Athletics.
  25. "Samuel Kamau WANJIRU Profile".
  26. Emeterio Valiente (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF.
  27. Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  28. Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  29. "Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics.
  30. Emeterio Valiente (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics.
  31. "Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics.
  32. "Jepchirchir smashes women-only half marathon world record in Prague". World Athletics. 5 September 2020.
  33. "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.
  34. "Tadese blazes 58:30 in Lisbon, second fastest Half Marathon ever | NEWS | World Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-09-20.
  35. "Kenyan runner Kwemoi banned 6 years for blood doping". ESPN.
  36. "Women's Half Marathon All-time toplist". World Athletics.
  37. "All-time women's best half-marathon". alltime-athletics.com. 26 October 2025.
  38. "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021.
  39. Emeterio Valiente (27 October 2024). "Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics.
  40. "Weini Kelati Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Result". mitjamarato.barcelona.
  41. Christopher Kelsall (15 February 2026). "Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet and Kenyan Loice Chemnung win the Mitja Marató de Barcelona half marathon".
  42. "Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbul". World Athletics. 4 April 2021.
  43. Emeterio Valiente (16 February 2025). "Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón". World Athletics.
  44. Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  45. "Tsigie Gebreselama pulverizou recorde pessoal na EDP Meia Maratona de Lisboa". Jogada do Mes. 10 March 2025.
  46. "Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. 21 February 2020.
  47. Valiente, Emeterio (19 February 2023). "Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics.
  48. "2024 Houston Half Marathon Results". track.rtrt.me. 14 January 2024.
  49. Emeterio Valiente (11 February 2024). "Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona". World Athletics.
  50. "Amebaw runs 1:04:44 at Copenhagen Half Marathon". World Athletics. 14 September 2025.
  51. "Kipkemboi and Kandie win Valencia Half Marathon". World Athletics. 22 October 2023.
  52. "Ethiopia's Fantaye Belayneh wins women's Aramco Houston Half Marathon". Houston Chronicle.
  53. "Chemutai runs 1:04:52 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon". World Athletics. 9 February 2018.
  54. "Jepkosgei breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-10-23.
  55. Whittington, Jess (2022-03-27). "Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul". World Athletics.
  56. "Yearly Ranking Leaders: Half Marathon". ARRS.
  57. "Keitany smashes half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". IAAF. February 18, 2011.
  58. "Bridge Race 2000". Archived from the original on 2004-11-19.
  59. "Senaste". Marathon.se. 8 June 2023.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Half marathons.