Jacob Kiplimo: How Ugandan Legend Cleared Any Doubts About His Status as New King of Road Races

Ugandan distance runner Jacob Kiplimo once again broke the men's half marathon world record, delivering a stunning performance at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon with a time of 57:20 on Sunday.

Returning to the streets where he first set the world record in 2021, Kiplimo delivered a masterclass in endurance running on Sunday. He shaved ten seconds off the previous record of 57:30, which was set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha earlier in 2024, cementing his status as one of the greatest distance runners of his generation.

The race was a tactical triumph for the Ugandan star. Leading from the front without the aid of pacemakers, Kiplimo maintained a relentless average pace of approximately 2:43 per kilometer. His performance is a significant moment for East African athletics, echoing the legendary achievements of icons like Haile Gebrselassie and Eliud Kipchoge.

Lisbon has proven to be a special venue for Kiplimo. He first broke the world record here in 2021 as a 20-year-old, clocking 57:31. His return was highly anticipated, especially after a faster time of 56:42 in Barcelona in 2025 was not ratified due to course compliance issues. This new record, set on a World Athletics Elite Label course, is expected to be officially recognised.

Kiplimo's dominance was clear throughout the race. He ran the final six kilometers alone, demonstrating his superior conditioning and mental fortitude as he pushed toward the finish line.

"I’m so happy to break the world record," Kiplimo said after the race. "After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometres."

While Kiplimo claimed the top honour, the podium highlighted the depth of talent in East Africa. Kenyan athletes Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich finished second and third with impressive times of 58:08 and 58:59, respectively. This result underscores the region's continued supremacy in international road racing.

For Kiplimo, this record is a powerful statement as he looks ahead to the London Marathon next month.

The Ugandan already won the Chicago Marathon last October and has maintained a steady rise, looking to be the man set to fill the void left by Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele.

While Kenya and Ethiopia are littered with top marathon runners, Kiplimo’s consistency leaves him as the heir apparent to the two legendary figures and he can cement this thought further by winning in London.