Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha broke the world record in the half marathon on Sunday at the Valencia Half Marathon with a 57:30 performance that shaved a second off of the previous mark.
In the close staged of the race, Kejelcha pulled away from Kenyans Daniel Mateiko and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi to seal the win and take Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo’s 2021 record set in in Lisbon, Portugal.
“This race was not easy,” Kejelcha, 27, said after the race. “Today I told myself to do it in 57 minutes and I was seeing in the car chrono that it was possible despite the rain was there. I wanted to do it and I’m really happy for it. In the 15K I was confident so I thought I could get the record. In the 18k and 19k I was very nervous because the rhythm changed, so it was a big challenge.”
Light rain fell for most of the race, but Kejelcha took control of the race just before the 2 mile mark with a 5k split of 13:38 and put the course record in his sights after crossing the 10k point in 27:12.
The lead pack held steady with Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega and Kenyan’s Daniel Mateiko, Edward Cheserek and Weldon Langat sticking with Kejelcha, Mateiko and Lasoi. But Kejelcha, Mateiko and Lasoi found separation, with Kejelcha making a decisive move at 18km and taking full command of the race as the prospect of the record became realistic.
“I was watching in the car my time. I didn’t know if I could do it better,” Kejelcha said. “The challenge was there, rain, curves were very sharp. My slippery feet in the curves were difficult. It wasn’t easy to turn right. Half marathon record is my dream and I beat it. I’m very happy. I beat my personal time in Valencia and now I beat the world record.”
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich approached the start line in the half marathon distance for the first time and made a statement with the win in 1:03:04.
Ngetich crossed the 5km mark in 14:38 and seemed to be pushing an early pace that gave hope that another record in Valencia was in the mix. Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye was her only real challenge on Sunday, as the two kept steady in the earlier stages. Taye faded after 10k and Ngetich surged with the aid of her pacers.
“I’m really happy, and so proud I could reach the second fastest ever in my debut,” Ngetich said to reporters after the race. “Valencia will always stay in my memories. I always remember my record in the 10K. I want to think in Valencia and hope to come again. Running too fast in the first 10k wasn’t an error, it was done consciously to try to win in Valencia. It’s a great achievement for me. I did good time, and beat the result despite it was raining. Someday I’ll try to get a new record, hopefully in Valencia.”
Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay took second in 1:03:21, while Lilian Kasait of Kenya was third in 1:03:32.
Top finishers of the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon:
Men
1. Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) – 57:30
2. Daniel Mateiko (Kenya) – 58:17
3. Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (Kenya) – 58:21
4. Gemechu Dida (Ethiopia) – 58:39
5. Vincent Langat (Kenya) – 58:41
6. Selemon Barega (Ethiopia) – 58:57
7. Birhanu Balew (Bahrain) – 59:41
8. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Spain) – 59:42
Women
1. Agnes Ngetich (Kenya) – 1:03:04
2. Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia) – 1:03:21
3. Lilian Kasait (Kenya) – 1:03:32
4. Ejgayehu Taye (Ethiopia) – 1:04:14
5. Tsigie Gebreselama (Ethiopia) – 1:05:18
6. Sheila Chelangat (Kenya) – 1:06:08
7. Jesca Chelangat (Kenya) – 1:06:13
8. Viola Chepngeno (Kenya) – 1:06:55
