Half marathon

A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (c. 13 mi 192.5 yd)—half the distance of a marathon. It is common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon or a 5K race, using almost the same course with a late start, an early finish, or shortcuts.[circular reference] If finisher medals are awarded, the medal or ribbon may differ from those for the full marathon. The half marathon is also known by its rounded distance: a 21K, a 21.1K, or 13.1 miles.

A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics. The men's world record time is 56:51, set by Yomif Kejelcha in 2026 in Buenos Aires. Jacob Kiplimo ran 56:42 in Barcelona in 2025, but this mark was not ratified by World Athletics due to his proximity to the lead car. The women's world record, in a mixed-gender race, is 1:02:52, set by Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia in October 2021 in Valencia, Spain. In a female-only race, the women's world record is 1:05:15, set by Agnes Jebet NGETICH of Kenya in September 2026.

Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003, partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does. In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon was the fastest-growing type of race.

History

Races close to the official half marathon distance of 21.0975 km (13.1094 mi) have taken place throughout the early 20th century, and athletes have also been timed at the midpoint of full marathons. The 1946 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia featured a road race that is listed at exactly the modern half marathon distance, referred to as the "Carrera Centroamericana y del Caribe: (21 kms. 97,5 metros)". The 1952 South American Championships in Athletics in Buenos Aires, Argentina featured a road race that was 21.097km, referred to as "la media maratón" ('the half marathon') by the Chilean newspaper La Nación.

The earliest half marathon recognised by the ARRS is the 1960 Romford Half Marathon in England, though it was short of the full half marathon distance. The earliest half marathon recognised by World Athletics is the 1965 Feckleton Half Marathon in England. The event grew in popularity, leading to the eventual establishment of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in 1992, originally titled the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.

Area records

• Updated 23 August 2026.

All-time top 25

Men

• Correct as of September2026[update].

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:39:

• Jacob Kiplimo also ran 57:20 (2026), 57:31 (2021), 57:37 (2020), 57:56 (2022) and 58:09 (2024)
• Yomif Kejelcha also ran 57:30 (2024), 57:41 (2023), 58:02 (2025) and 58:32 (2022)
• Kibiwott Kandie also ran 57:40 (2023), 58:10 (2022) and 58:38 (2020)
• Sabastian Sawe also ran 58:05 (2024), 58:24 (2024) and 58:29 (2023)
• Hagos Gebrhiwet also ran 58:05 (2026)
• Geoffrey Kamworor also ran 58:14 (2026)
• Abraham Kiptum ran 58:18, but it was expunged for doping
• Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi also ran 58:21 (2024)
• Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli also ran 58:23 (2025)
• Daniel Mateiko also ran 58:26 (2021)
• Zersenay Tadese also ran 58:30(2011)
• Philemon Kiplimo also ran 58:34 (2021)
• Rodrigue Kwizera also ran 58:38 (2025)

Performance annulled due to doping offences:

Women

• Correct as of February2026[update].

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:00:

• Agnes Jebet Ngetich also ran 1:03:08 Mx (2025)
• Fotyen Tesfay also ran 1:03:35 (2025), 1:03:57 Mx (2026) and 1:04:46 (2022)
• Yalemzerf Yehualaw also ran 1:03:44 Mx a (2021, not legal), 1:04:22 Mx (2022), 1:04:40 Mx (2021) and 1:04:46 (2020)
• Ruth Chepng'etich also ran 1:04:16 + Mx (2024)
• Hellen Obiri also ran 1:04:22 Mx (2022), 1:04:48 (2022) and 1:04:51 Mx (2021)
• Joyciline Jepkosgei also ran 1:04:29 Mx (2024), 1:04:46 Mx (2023), 1:04:51 (2017) and 1:04:52 (2017)
• Brigid Kosgei also ran 1:04:50 (2020), 1:04:50 (2020) and 1:04:50 Mx a (2019, not legal)

World leading times

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.

The largest half marathon ever held was Broloppet (the Bridge race) between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden with 79,719 finishers, held in connection with the Øresund Bridge inauguration in 2000.

See also

• List of half marathon races
• World Athletics Half Marathon Championships
• Mini marathon
• Quarter marathon
• Half marathon world record progression
• One hour run

Notes

Further reading

• Nilson, Finn; Lundkvist, Erik; Wagnsson, Stefan; Gustafsson, Henrik (2019-12-19). . Sport in Society. 24 (4): 659–669. doi:. ISSN.

External links