Tsigie gebreselama

World Athletics Gold Label: Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha broke the world half marathon record at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday, clocking 57:30 at the World Athletics Gold Label road race.

In his sixth appearance over the distance, the 27-year-old world indoor mile record holder set off behind the pacemakers before taking command of the race just before the third kilometre. From then on, he started running at 2:43/km pace in pursuit of the world record.

The two-time world indoor champion went through 5 km in 13:38, 10km in 27:12 and 15km in 40:56. It was at that point when he made a break from Kenyans Daniel Mateiko and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi to secure the win, taking one second off the world record set by Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon three years ago.