Athletics
Half marathon
Runners in the 2008 New York City Half Marathon
World records
MenUganda Jacob Kiplimo 57:31 (2021)
Womenmixed gender race:
Ethiopia Letesenbet Gidey 1:02:52 (2021)
women only race:
Kenya Peres Jepchirchir 1:05:16 (2020)[1]

A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (13 miles 192.5 yards)—half the distance of a marathon.[2] 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.[3] 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]

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations.[4][5] The official IAAF world record for men is 57:31, set by Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda in November 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal,[6] and for women is 1:04:02, set by Ruth Chepng'etich of Kenya on April 4, 2021, in Istanbul, Turkey.[7] Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003,[8] partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does.[8] In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon is the fastest-growing type of race.[8]

All-time top 25

Men

Rank Time Athlete Date Place Ref
1 57:31  Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 21 November 2021 Lisbon [11]
2 57:32  Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [6]
3 57:41  Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 22 October 2023 Valencia [12]
 Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) [12]
5 57:49  Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [6]
6 57:50  Selemon Barega (ETH) 22 October 2023 Valencia [12]
7 57:59  Alexander Mutiso (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [6]
8 58:01  Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 15 September 2019 Copenhagen [13]
9 58:02  Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 6 March 2022 Rome–Ostia [14]
10 58:07  Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [15]
11 58:11  Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [6]
12 58:23  Zersenay Tadese (ERI) 21 March 2010 Lisbon
13 58:26  Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [15]
14 58:28  Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 24 October 2021 Valencia [15]
15 58:30  Rodgers Kwemoi (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [16]
16 58:33  Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) 17 March 2007 The Hague
 Jemal Yimer (ETH) 28 October 2018 Valencia [17]
18 58:35  Kenneth Kiprop Renju (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [18]
19 58:36  Seifu Tura Abdiwak (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [19]
20 58:40  Abraham Cheroben (BHR) 17 September 2017 Copenhagen
 Muktar Edris (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [15]
 Amdework Walelegn Tadese (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [20]
23 58:42  Bedan Karoki Muchiri (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [21]
 Eric Kiptanui (KEN) 8 April 2018 Berlin [22]
 Stephen Kiprop (KEN) 8 February 2019 Ras al-Khaimah [23]
 Kelvin Kiptum (KEN) 6 December 2020 Valencia [6]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:43:

Women

Rank Time Athlete Date Place Ref
1 1:02:52 Mx  Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [29]
2 1:03:51 Mx  Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 24 October 2021 Valencia [30]
3 1:04:02 Mx  Ruth Chepng'etich (KEN) 4 April 2021 Istanbul [31]
4 1:04:14 Mx  Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [32]
5 1:04:22 Mx  Hellen Obiri (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [33]
6 1:04:29 Mx  Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 11 February 2024 Barcelona [34]
7 1:04:31 Mx  Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 21 February 2020 Ras al-Khaimah [35]
8 1:04:36 Mx  Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 19 February 2022 Ras al-Khaimah [36]
9 1:04:37  Irine Kimais (KEN) 19 February 2023 Barcelona [37]
1:04:37 Mx  Sutume Kebede (ETH) 14 January 2024 Houston [38]
11 1:04:40 Mx  Senbere Teferi (ETH) 11 February 2024 Barcelona [39]
12 1:04:46  Margaret Kipkemboi (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [12]
13 1:04:49  Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 21 February 2020 Ras al-Khaimah [40]
14 1:04:52  Fancy Chemutai (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [41]
15 1:04:53  Irene Chepet Cheptai (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [12]
16 1:04:55  Mary Keitany (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [42]
17 1:05:01 Mx  Tsehay Gemechu (ETH) 28 August 2022 Larne [43]
18 1:05:03 Mx  Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN) 16 January 2022 Houston [44]
19 1:05:04  Joan Chelimo (KEN) 7 April 2018 Prague [45]
20 1:05:06  Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 10 February 2017 Ras al-Khaimah
21 1:05:07  Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui (KEN) 9 February 2018 Ras al-Khaimah [46]
22 1:05:09  Florence Kiplagat (KEN) 15 February 2015 Barcelona
23 1:05:15  Sifan Hassan (NED) 16 September 2018 Copenhagen [47]
 Janeth Chepngetich (KEN) 22 October 2023 Valencia [12]
25 1:05:18 Wo  Melat Yisak Kejeta (GER) 17 October 2020 Gdynia [48]
1:05:18 Mx  Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 6 December 2020 Valencia [6]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:18:

Season's bests

The Chicago Half Marathon is a Chicago Marathon tune-up on Lake Shore Drive in the South Side of Chicago.
Runners taking part in the Bristol Half Marathon

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.[53]

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[a] 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[54]  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

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.[55][56]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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. ^ "Peres JEPCHIRCHIR athlete profile at World Athletics". Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  2. ^ "USATF: Course Measurement and Certification Procedures" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  3. ^ "Chip timing", Wikipedia, 2023-03-28, retrieved 2023-07-16
  4. ^ a b Emeterio Valiente (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Records by discipline: Women's outdoor half marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Emeterio Valiente (6 December 2020). "57:32! Kandie crushes half marathon world record in Valencia". World Athletics. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Ratified: world records for Chepngetich and Niyonsaba". World Athletics. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Hanc, John (July 24, 2008). "Sometimes Half Is Better Than Whole". NY Times. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  9. ^ "Men's Half Marathon All-time toplist". World Athletics. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  10. ^ "All-time men's best half-marathon". alltime-athletics.com. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Kiplimo breaks world half marathon record in Lisbon". World Athletics. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Kandie and Chelimo victorious in Valencia | REPORTS | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  13. ^ "Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world record". bbc.co.uk. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Mokoka breaks world 50km record with 2:40:13 in Gqeberha". World Athletics. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  16. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  17. ^ Emeterio Valiente (28 October 2018). "Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18". IAAF. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  18. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  19. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  20. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  21. ^ "Bedan Karoki Muchiri Ras-Al-Khaimah Half Marathon 2018 Result". premiertiming.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  22. ^ "Erick Kiptanui Berlin Half Marathon 2018 Result". mikatiming.net. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  23. ^ Jon Mulkeen (8 February 2019). "Kiprop equals course record, Teferi clocks fastest debut at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  24. ^ "Jepchirchir smashes women-only half marathon world record in Prague". World Athletics. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  25. ^ "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. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Tadese blazes 58:30 in Lisbon, second fastest Half Marathon ever | NEWS | World Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-09-20.
  27. ^ "Women's Half Marathon All-time toplist". World Athletics. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  28. ^ "All-time women's best half-marathon". alltime-athletics.com. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia". World Athletics. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  31. ^ "Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbul". World Athletics. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  32. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  33. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  34. ^ Emeterio Valiente (11 February 2024). "Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona". World Athletics. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  36. ^ Jess Whittington (19 February 2022). "Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  37. ^ Valiente, Emeterio (19 February 2023). "Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  38. ^ "2024 Houston Half Marathon Results". track.rtrt.me. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  39. ^ Emeterio Valiente (11 February 2024). "Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona". World Athletics. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". World Athletics. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  41. ^ "Fancy Chemutai Ras-Al-Khaimah Half Marathon 2018 Result". premiertiming.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  42. ^ "Mary Keitany Ras-Al-Khaimah Half Marathon 2018 Result". premiertiming.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  43. ^ "Yehualaw and Yimer run UK all-comers' records in Larne". World Athletics. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  44. ^ Jess Whittington (16 January 2022). "D'Amato and Chepngeno impress as records fall in Houston". World Athletics. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  45. ^ Bob Ramsak (7 April 2018). "Melly sizzles to 1:05:04 victory at Prague Half Marathon". IAAF. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  46. ^ "Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui Ras-Al-Khaimah Half Marathon 2018 Result". premiertiming.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  47. ^ "Hassan smashes European record at Copenhagen Half Marathon". IAAF. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  48. ^ Cathal Dennehy (17 October 2020). "Jepchirchir breaks women-only world record at World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020". World Athletics. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  49. ^ "Yehualaw smashes world half marathon record in Larne". World Athletics. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  50. ^ "Yehualaw and Yimer run UK all-comers' records in Larne". World Athletics. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  51. ^ Whittington, Jess (2022-03-27). "Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul". World Athletics. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  52. ^ "Jepkosgei breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-10-23.
  53. ^ "Yearly Ranking Leaders: Half Marathon". ARRS. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  54. ^ "Keitany smashes half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah". IAAF. February 18, 2011. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  55. ^ "Bridge Race 2000". Archived from the original on 2004-11-19. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  56. ^ "Senaste". Marathon.se. 8 June 2023.

Further reading

External links

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