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(Reuters) – Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie broke the world record for half a marathon in 29 seconds yesterday, becoming the first person to break 58 minutes at the Valencia Half Marathon.
Kandie, who finished second in the world half marathon championships in Gdynia in October, finished the annual Spanish race in 57 minutes and 32 seconds, breaking the previous record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September 2019.
“I can’t believe it, I have broken Kamworor’s world record by half a minute,” Kandie said. “Today is a great day for me and also for Kenya.”
The top four men raced below the previous world best, with Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finishing second in 57:37, Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto third in 57:49 and Kenyan Alexander Mutiso fourth in 57:59.
Kandie, 24, led the chasing group, which included reigning world champion Kiplimo, through the 15-kilometer mark in 41:10.
The two traded the lead for the next six kilometers before Kandie made the decisive move, finishing more than a minute behind his previous personal best of 58:37.
Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba won the women’s race in 1:05:18, setting the best time for a distance debut.
