World Athletics denies Jacob Kiplimo’s half-marathon world record
Kiplimo’s world‑record time of 56:42 was ruled invalid due to assistance from a lead pace car
Photo: Jef Kusters/Flickr
The men’s half-marathon world record set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo at last year’s Barcelona Half-Marathon will not be ratified by World Athletics.
According to Runner’s World Spain, Kiplimo’s winning time of 56:42 did not comply with World Athletics competition rules.
Under Article 6.3.1 of the Technical Rules, athletes cannot receive pacing assistance from anyone not competing in the same race, nor from any technical device other than a wearable.
Race broadcast footage shows Kiplimo running most of the race approximately 10 to 15 metres behind the lead pace car, something World Athletics has deemed illegal assistance. Kiplimo had taken 48 seconds off the previous world record and was the first athlete in history to break the 57-minute mark.
World Athletics’ rules do not specify a minimum distance required between a pace car and athletes, which appears to be a loophole used by Barcelona race organizers and Kiplimo. The report also alleges that Kiplimo violated another regulation, including a rule prohibiting athletes from receiving coaching advice during the race.
As a result, World Athletics will continue to recognize Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha as the world record holder, based on his 57:30 performance at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon.
Both Kejelcha and Kiplimo are set to go head-to-head at the 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26.
