Half marathon explained

Event:Half marathon
Wrmen: Yomif Kejelcha 57:30 (2024)
Wrwomen:

A half marathon is a road running event of kilometres (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. 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.

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics.[2] [3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003,[6] partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does. In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon was the fastest-growing type of race.

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.[7] 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

RankTimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
156:4216 February 2025Barcelona[10]
257:3027 October 2024Valencia[11]
357:326 December 2020Valencia[12]
457:4122 October 2023Valencia[13]
557:5022 October 2023Valencia
657:596 December 2020Valencia
758:0115 September 2019Copenhagen[14]
858:026 March 2022Rome–Ostia[15]
958:0724 October 2021Valencia[16]
1058:1015 September 2024Copenhagen[17]
1158:116 December 2020Valencia
1258:1727 October 2024Valencia[18]
1358:2321 March 2010Lisbon[19]
14 September 2025Copenhagen[20]
14 February 2026Ras Al Khaimah[21]
1658:2414 September 2025Copenhagen[22]
1758:2723 March 2025Malaga[23]
1858:2824 October 2021Valencia
1958:3317 March 2007The Hague[24]
28 October 2018Valencia[25]
2158:3519 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[26]
2258:3619 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[27]
2358:3826 October 2025Valencia[28]
14 February 2026Ras Al Khaimah
2558:3927 October 2024Valencia[29]
26 October 2025Valencia[30]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:39:

Performance annulled due to doping offences:

TimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
57:496 December 2020Valencia
58:3019 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[34]

Women

[35] [36]

RankTimeAthleteDatePlaceRef
11:02:52 24 October 2021Valencia[37]
21:03:04 27 October 2024Valencia[38]
31:03:21 27 October 2024Valencia
41:03:32 27 October 2024Valencia
51:03:51 24 October 2021Valencia
61:04:01 15 February 2026Barcelona[39] [40]
71:04:02 4 April 2021Istanbul[41]
81:04:13 16 February 2025Barcelona[42]
91:04:14 19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah[43]
101:04:14 27 October 2024Valencia
111:04:219 March 2025Lisboa[44]
121:04:22 19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
131:04:31 21 February 2020Ras al-Khaimah[45]
141:04:36 19 February 2022Ras al-Khaimah
151:04:3719 February 2023Barcelona[46]
161:04:37 14 January 2024Houston[47]
171:04:40 11 February 2024Barcelona[48]
181:04:4414 September 2025Copenhagen[49]
191:04:4622 October 2023Valencia[50]
201:04:49 21 February 2020Ras al-Khaimah
11 January 2026Houston[51]
221:04:529 February 2018Ras al-Khaimah[52]
231:04:5322 October 2023Valencia
241:04:559 February 2018Ras al-Khaimah
251:05:0014 September 2025Copenhagen

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:03:

Season's bests

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.[55]

YearMarkMenPlaceMarkWomenPlace
1970Belfast
1971FreckletonPhoenix
1972CoamoSan Diego
1973Maracaibo
1974WiezeAy
1975Grevenmacher
1976CoamoNazaré
1977BeppuMilan
1978Welwyn Garden CitySan Diego
1979Las VegasManchester
1980New OrleansThe Hague
1981ManchesterSan Diego
1982PhiladelphiaGothenburg
1983DaytonPhiladelphia
1984MilanPhiladelphia
1985PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia
1986South ShieldsDrammen
1987BarnsleySandnes
1988South ShieldsSouth Shields
1989DurbanNew Bedford
1990South ShieldsSouth Shields
1991MilanEast London
1992South ShieldsDundee
1993MilanSt Petersburg
1994South ShieldsKyoto
1995LisbonKyoto
1996Ivry-sur-SeineParis
1997KošiceKyoto
1998MilanKyoto
1999MilanTokyo
2000TokyoSouth Shields
2001BerlinBristol
2002LisbonSouth Shields
2003South ShieldsSouth Shields
2004South ShieldsSouth Shields
2005South ShieldsSouth Shields
2006TempeBerlin
2007The HagueUdine
2008
Lisbon
New Delhi		Marugame
2009Ras al-KhaimahBirmingham
2010LisbonRas al-Khaimah
2011Lisbon[56] Ras al-Khaimah
2012PragueRas al-Khaimah
2013Ras al-KhaimahRas al-Khaimah
2014ValenciaBarcelona
2015ValenciaBarcelona
2016OstiaPrague
2017CopenhagenValencia
2018ValenciaRas al-Khaimah
2019CopenhagenManama
2020ValenciaRas al-Khaimah
2021LisbonValencia
2022Ras al-KhaimahRas al-Khaimah
2023ValenciaBarcelona
2024ValenciaValencia

The largest half marathon ever held was Broloppet (the Bridge race) between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden with finishers, held in connection with the Øresund Bridge inauguration in 2000.[57] [58]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: USATF: Course Measurement and Certification Procedures . 2019-04-25 . 2016-06-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160629174809/http://www.usatf.org/usatf/files/62/626ff37e-feed-4ec3-8c40-758ddda9af8a.pdf . dead .
  2. News: Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18. IAAF. Emeterio Valiente. 28 October 2018. 29 October 2018.
  3. Web site: Records by discipline: Women's outdoor half marathon . . 2015-05-01 .
  4. Web site: 2026-02-03 . World Athletics borra el récord mundial de medio maratón de Jacob Kiplimo por aprovechar el rebufo de un coche . 2026-02-03 . Runner's World . es-ES.
  5. Web site: Stats World Athletics World Athletics . 2024-10-27 . worldathletics.org.
  6. Web site: Sometimes Half Is Better Than Whole . Hanc. John. July 24, 2008. NY Times. 2009-02-09.
  7. News: 2022-07-01 . THE HISTORY OF THE HALF . Runner's World.
  8. Web site: Men's Half Marathon All-time toplist. World Athletics. 8 December 2020.
  9. Web site: All-time men's best half-marathon. alltime-athletics.com. 8 December 2020. 8 December 2020.
  10. Web site: Valiente . Emeterio . February 16, 2025 . Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón . February 16, 2025 . World Athletics.
  11. Web site: Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia REPORT World Athletics . 2024-10-27 . worldathletics.org.
  12. News: 57:32! Kandie crushes half marathon world record in Valencia. World Athletics. Emeterio Valiente. 6 December 2020. 8 December 2020.
  13. Web site: Kandie and Chelimo victorious in Valencia REPORTS World Athletics . 2023-10-25 . worldathletics.org.
  14. Web site: Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor smashes half marathon world record. bbc.co.uk. 15 September 2019. 16 September 2019.
  15. News: Mokoka breaks world 50km record with 2:40:13 in Gqeberha. World Athletics. 6 March 2022. 3 April 2022.
  16. News: Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia. World Athletics. 24 October 2021. 7 November 2021.
  17. News: Sawe and Kipkemboi claim Copenhagen Half Marathon crowns. World Athletics. 15 September 2024. 29 September 2024.
  18. Web site: Half Marathon - men - senior - all . 2024-10-27 . worldathletics.org.
  19. Web site: Zersenay TADESE Profile. 21 February 2026.
  20. Web site: Men's Half Marathon Results. cphhalf.dk. 28 November 2025.
  21. Web site: Men's Half Marathon Results. World Athletics. 21 February 2026.
  22. Web site: Men's Half Marathon Results. cphhalf.dk. 28 November 2025.
  23. Web site: Men's Half Marathon Results. World Athletics. 28 November 2025.
  24. Web site: Samuel Kamau WANJIRU Profile. 21 February 2026.
  25. News: Kiptum breaks world half marathon record in Valencia with 58:18. IAAF. Emeterio Valiente. 28 October 2018. 29 October 2018.
  26. News: Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah. World Athletics. Jess Whittington. 19 February 2022. 19 February 2022.
  27. News: Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah. World Athletics. Jess Whittington. 19 February 2022. 19 February 2022.
  28. Web site: Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon. World Athletics. 29 October 2025.
  29. Web site: Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia. World Athletics. Emeterio Valiente. 27 October 2024. 1 November 2024.
  30. Web site: Ngetich sets world lead to win Valencia Half Marathon. World Athletics. 29 October 2025.
  31. News: Jepchirchir smashes women-only half marathon world record in Prague. World Athletics. 5 September 2020. 11 September 2020.
  32. Web site: Abraham Kiptum: Kenyan runner gets four-year ban for anti-doping violation - BBC Sport . www.bbc.co.uk . 11 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191116135225/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/50380276 . 16 November 2019 . dead.
  33. Web site: Tadese blazes 58:30 in Lisbon, second fastest Half Marathon ever | NEWS | World Athletics. https://web.archive.org/web/20200920045958/https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/tadese-blazes-5830-in-lisbon-second-fastest-h. 2020-09-20.
  34. Web site: Kenyan runner Kwemoi banned 6 years for blood doping. ESPN. 27 February 2026.
  35. Web site: Women's Half Marathon All-time toplist. World Athletics. 26 October 2025.
  36. Web site: All-time women's best half-marathon. alltime-athletics.com. 26 October 2025. 26 October 2025.
  37. News: Gidey smashes world half marathon record in Valencia. World Athletics. 24 October 2021. 6 November 2021.
  38. Web site: Kejelcha breaks world half marathon record in Valencia. World Athletics. Emeterio Valiente. 27 October 2024. 1 November 2024.
  39. Web site: Weini Kelati Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Result. mitjamarato.barcelona. 17 February 2026.
  40. Web site: Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet and Kenyan Loice Chemnung win the Mitja Marató de Barcelona half marathon. Christopher Kelsall. 15 February 2026. 16 February 2026.
  41. News: Chepngetich smashes world half marathon record in Istanbul. World Athletics. 4 April 2021. 2 June 2021.
  42. Web site: Kiplimo obliterates world half marathon record in Barcelona, Kejelcha and Eisa impress in Castellón. World Athletics. Emeterio Valiente. 16 February 2025. 26 February 2025.
  43. News: Kiplimo and Gebrzihair break course records in Ras Al Khaimah. World Athletics. Jess Whittington. 19 February 2022. 19 February 2022.
  44. Web site: Tsigie Gebreselama pulverizou recorde pessoal na EDP Meia Maratona de Lisboa. Jogada do Mes. 10 March 2025. 26 October 2025.
  45. News: Yeshaneh breaks half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah. World Athletics. 21 February 2020. 7 March 2020.
  46. Web site: Valiente . Emeterio . 19 February 2023 . Kimais, Jepkosgei and Langat brilliant in Barcelona, Obiri and Kibet reign in Ras Al Khaimah . 19 February 2023 . World Athletics.
  47. Web site: 2024 Houston Half Marathon Results. track.rtrt.me. 14 January 2024. 14 January 2024.
  48. Web site: Jepkosgei and Kandie triumph in Barcelona. World Athletics. Emeterio Valiente. 11 February 2024. 11 February 2024.
  49. Web site: Amebaw runs 1:04:44 at Copenhagen Half Marathon. World Athletics. 14 September 2025. 26 October 2025.
  50. Web site: Kipkemboi and Kandie win Valencia Half Marathon. World Athletics. 22 October 2023. 26 October 2025.
  51. Web site: Ethiopia's Fantaye Belayneh wins women's Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Houston Chronicle. 2 March 2026.
  52. Web site: Chemutai runs 1:04:52 at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon. World Athletics. 9 February 2018. 26 October 2025.
  53. Web site: Jepkosgei breaks world half marathon record in Valencia | REPORT | World Athletics. https://web.archive.org/web/20201023104711/https://worldathletics.org/news/report/valencia-half-marathon-2017-joyciline-jepkosg. 2020-10-23.
  54. Web site: Whittington . Jess . 2022-03-27 . Obiri and Kwemoi claim half marathon crowns in Istanbul . 2022-03-27 . World Athletics.
  55. Web site: Yearly Ranking Leaders: Half Marathon . . 2015-05-01 .
  56. Web site: Keitany smashes half marathon world record in Ras Al Khaimah . February 18, 2011 . IAAF . 2015-05-03 .
  57. Web site: Bridge Race 2000. 2009-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20041119003717/http://www.sm.luth.se/~grip/PersonalStuff/Running/Broloppet2000/about.html. 2004-11-19. dead.
  58. Web site: Senaste. Marathon.se. 8 June 2023 .

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