Philemon Kiplimo
Kenyan long-distance runner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philemon Kiplimo Kimaiyo (born 10 October 1998) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in road racing. He is one of the world's fastest half marathon runners of all time and has achieved top results in major international marathons.
October 10, 1998
Kimaiyo at mile 25 of the 2025 Chicago Marathon | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Born | Philemon Kiplimo Kimaiyo October 10, 1998 |
| Occupation | Long-distance runner |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Sport | Athletics |
Events | Marathon, Half marathon |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests |
|
Career
In 2019, he won the B.A.A. Half Marathon in Boston.[1] His breakthrough performance came at the 2020 Valencia Half Marathon, where he finished fifth in a historically fast race. His time of 58:11 places him among the top ten fastest performers ever for the distance.[2] He then won the 2021 Bahrain Royal Night Half Marathon.[3]
After several strong half marathon performances, Kiplimo transitioned to the full marathon. In his debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, he ran a 2:05:44. He followed this with a top-ten finish at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, finishing eighth with a new personal best of 2:04:56.[4]
In April 2025, Kiplimo finished second in the Hamburg Marathon, improving his personal best by nearly a minute to clock a time of 2:04:01.[5]
Personal bests
Major results
| Year | Competition | Location | Position | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | B.A.A. Half Marathon | Boston, USA | 1st | 1:01:58 |
| 2020 | Valencia Half Marathon | Valencia, Spain | 5th | 58:11 |
| 2021 | Bahrain Royal Night Half Marathon | Manama, Bahrain | 1st | 1:00:01 |
| 2023 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 8th | 2:04:56 |
| 2025 | Hamburg Marathon | Hamburg, Germany | 2nd | 2:04:01 |
| Chicago Marathon | Chicago, USA | 8th | 2:06:14 |