Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha Rewrites Half Marathon History with 56:51

Addis Ababa, Aug 24/2026 (ABN)

Ethiopian distance-running star Yomif Kejelcha has reclaimed the men’s half marathon world record after producing a remarkable 56:51 at the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Kejelcha’s performance cut 29 seconds from the previous official world record of 57:20, set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon earlier this year. World Athletics listed Kejelcha’s 56:51 as a world-record performance, subject to the standard ratification process.

The achievement marks Kejelcha’s return to the top of the half marathon world rankings. He previously held the official world record with a 57:30 performance in Valencia in 2024 before Kiplimo surpassed that mark.

Kejelcha’s latest run also adds another major milestone to an already distinguished career in international distance running. His 56:51 performance places him at the center of another historic chapter for Ethiopian athletics.

The Buenos Aires race produced a strong Ethiopian showing, with Tadese Worku finishing second in 59:20, while Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay won the women’s race in 1:03:57.

Kejelcha’s achievement comes as another powerful demonstration of Ethiopia’s enduring strength in long-distance running and its ability to produce athletes capable of competing at the highest level of global athletics.

The record is particularly significant because Kiplimo had previously run 56:42 in Barcelona in 2025, a faster time that was not recognized as an official world record because the race conditions did not meet World Athletics requirements.

With his historic 56:51 in Buenos Aires, Kejelcha has once again placed Ethiopia at the summit of the men’s half marathon, delivering a performance that will stand among the defining moments of Ethiopian athletics.

Yomif Kejelcha has done it again—56:51, a world record, and another historic moment for Ethiopia on the global athletics stage.