Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo breaks half-marathon world record

Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo broke the half-marathon world record in Lisbon on Sunday with a time of 57 minutes, 31 seconds (57:31).

The world half-marathon champion Kiplimo won Sunday’s race by over two minutes and took one second off the previous world best (57:32) established by Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie in Valencia last year.

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After scorching through 10km in 27:05, well clear of the rest of the field, Kiplimo passed through 15km in 40:27, the fastest time ever recorded for the distance.

Ethiopia’s Esa Huseyidin Mohamed was second in 59:39, just ahead of compatriot Gerba Beyata Dibaba, who was given the same time for third place.

Ethiopia’s Tsehay Gemechu won a tightly contested women’s race in the Portuguese capital in 1:06:06.

She held off a challenge from Kenya’s Daisy Cherotich, who took second place (1:06:15) ahead of compatriot Joyce Chepkemoi (1:06:19).