It was an electrifying Sunday morning at the Maratón Valencia, with Ethiopian star Yomif Kejelcha capturing the men’s half-marathon world record, crossing the finish line in 57:30; and on the women’s side, Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich running the second-fastest half-marathon in history, clocking 63:04.
World record alert at the @MedioMaratonVLC 🚨
Report 🔗 https://t.co/EjSpUgXrHn pic.twitter.com/F4AI1B9SYZ
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 27, 2024
Kejelcha’s record-breaking run
In his sixth half marathon, Kejelcha pushed the limits to take one second off Jacob Kiplimo‘s previous record set in Lisbon in 2021. Despite light rain and cool conditions, he maintained an aggressive pace, leading a pack of top runners through the first 5K in 13:38. By the 10K mark, Kejelcha clocked an impressive 27:12, and although the pace dipped slightly afterward, he picked it up to charge to the finish line alone. His final time not only secured a world record but also marked an 11-second personal best.
Since winning the 3000m title at the World Under-18 and Under-20 Championships a decade ago, Kejelcha has taken home two World Indoor titles and shown potential to extend his dominance to even longer distances. With this performance, the 27-year-old has become the first to hold both the world indoor mile (3:47.01, set in Boston in 2021) and half marathon records.
Kenyan runners Daniel Mateiko and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi took second and third in the men’s race, with Mateiko achieving a personal best of 58:17 and Lasoi clocking 58:21.
Top men
Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 57:30
Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 58:17
Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) 58:21
Gemechu Dida (ETH) 58:39
Vincent Langat (KEN) 58:41
Selemon Barega (ETH) 58:57
Birhanu Balew (BRN) 59:41
Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 59:42
10km world record holder Agnes Ngetich has won the Valencia Half Marathon on debut, crossing the line in 1:03:04 to assert herself as the second fastest in history.
Fotyten Tesfay closed hard to finish second in 1:03:21, nine seconds ahead of Ngetich’s countrywoman and fellow… pic.twitter.com/fqDIgK3AIa— Onus Athletics (@onusathletics) October 27, 2024
Ngetich’s half-marathon debut
Ngetich’s debut half-marathon was nothing short of historic. She set off fast and clocked 29:18 at the 10K mark, a time bettered by only a few in history. She crossed the finish line in 63:04—11 seconds shy of the world record. Her effort places her second on the all-time list, behind only the record set by Letesenbet Gidey in Valencia, in 2021.
Happy with her performance, Ngetich said that running fast early was a conscious decision to set her place in the race. “My goal was to push hard from the start, even with the rain,” she said to media post-race. “This race is special to me, and Valencia now holds a place in my heart.”
In the women’s race, Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay and Kenya’s Lilian Rengeruk joined Ngetich on the podium with times of 1:03:21 and 1:03:32, respectively, moving them to the top ranks in women’s half marathon history. Ngetich’s compatriot, Ejgayehu Taye, finished fourth in 1:04:14, earning her a spot in the top 10 all-time list on her half marathon debut.
Top women
Agnes Ngetich (KEN) 1:03:04
Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 1:03:21
Lilian Kasait (KEN) 1:03:32
Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) 1:04:14
Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH) 1:05:18
Sheila Chelangat (KEN) 1:06:08
Jesca Chelangat (KEN) 1:06:13
Viola Chepngeno (KEN) 1:06:55
