The developing rivalry between Jacob Kiplimo and Kibiwott Kandie took another turn this Sunday as the Ugandan stole the Kenyan’s world half-marathon record thanks to a 57:31 clocking in Lisbon.
Alone in world record pursuit
Kiplimo made his move a startling 3k into the race, finding himself all alone with over ten miles left. Passing through 5k in 13:40 (57:40 pace), Kiplimo covered the next five in 13.25 (56:37 pace) to leave himself around ten seconds below world record pace.
Mindbogglingly Kiplimo went even faster for the next five as he clocked a 13.22 split. It meant he passed through 15k on 56:54 pace. The 40:27 split is a new 15k world best.
Running all alone for over 12k it is unsurprising Kiplimo slowed but he had enough time in the bank, finishing in 57:31 to edge out Kandie’s world record.
In speaking to the press after Kiplimo said:
“With one kilometre to go, I knew that I was going to break the world record. When I was on the final straight and saw the clock, I gave it all I had and told myself I had to sprint fast to reach the finish line.”
Kiplimo to the media after the race
Kiplimo finished over two minutes ahead of his next challenger. Huseyidin Mohamed Esa was second in 59:39 edging out Gerba Beyata Dibaba (same time). Despite the gap nine men still broke 60 mins.
In the women’s race Tsehay Gemechu Beyan won in 66:06 ahead of Daisy Cherotich (66:15) and Joyce Chepkemoi Tele (66:19).
What’s next for Kiplimo?
With both the Commonwealth Games and World Champs happening next year it remains to be seen whether Kiplimo will head back to the track for the summer.
The World Half Marathon Champs takes place in Yangzhou, China on 27 March 2022 which may well be the next significant occasion in which we see Kiplimo in action.
There we will see the next installment of Kandie versus Kiplimo.
Featured image “Lisbon Half Marathon – 25 years” by JAASA2010 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
