Half marathon
Road running event of 21.0975 kilometres
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[examples needed]
Yomif Kejelcha 57:30 (2024) Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)
Wo:
Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:16 (2020)| Athletics Half marathon | |
|---|---|
Half marathon runners in the 2024 Dallas Marathon | |
| World records | |
| Men | Yomif Kejelcha 57:30 (2024) |
| Women | Mx: Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)
Wo: Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:16 (2020) |
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:
- Jacob Kiplimo also ran 57:20 (2026), 57:31 (2021), 57:37 (2020), 57:56 (2022) and 58:09 (2024).
- Kibiwott Kandie also ran 57:40 (2023), 58:10 (2022) and 58:38 (2020).[32]
- Yomif Kejelcha also ran 57:41 (2023) 58:02 (2025) and 58:32 (2022).
- Sabastian Sawe also ran 58:05 (2024), 58:24 (2024), 58:29 (2023).
- Hagos Gebrhiwet also ran 58:05 (2026).
- Geoffrey Kamworor also ran 58:14 (2026).
- Abraham Kiptum ran 58:18,[3] but it was expunged for doping.[33]
- Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi also ran 58:21 (2024).
- Zersenay Tadese also ran 58:30 (2011).[34]
- Daniel Mateiko also ran 58:26 (2021).
- Philemon Kiplimo also ran 58:34 (2021).
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
- Correct as of February 2026[update].
| 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:
- Agnes Jebet Ngetich also ran 1:03:08 Mx (2025).
- Fotyen Tesfay also ran 1:03:35 (2025), 1:04:46 (2022).
- Yalemzerf Yehualaw also ran 1:03:44 Mx a (2021, not legal), 1:04:22 Mx (2022), 1:04:40 Mx (2021), 1:04:46 (2020).
- Joyciline Jepkosgei also ran 1:04:29 Mx (2024), 1:04:46 Mx (2023), 1:04:51 (2017), 1:04:52 (2017).[54]
- Hellen Obiri also ran 1:04:22 Mx (2022), 1:04:48 (2022), 1:04:51 Mx (2021).[55]
- Brigid Kosgei also ran 1:04:50 (2020), 1:04:50 (2020), 1:04:50 Mx a (2019, not legal).
- Ruth Chepngetich also ran 1:04:16 + Mx (2024).
Season's bests
This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.[56]
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
- Not ratified as a world record due to the runner's proximity to the lead pace car
- 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.
