Ethiopian distance star Yomif Kejelcha just put the half marathon world record back in Ethiopian hands.
On August 23 in Buenos Aires, Kejelcha clocked 56:51 at the Media Maraton Ciudad de Buenos Aires. That time cuts 29 seconds off Jacob Kiplimo’s 57:20 from Lisbon earlier this year. World Athletics still has to formally ratify it, but the mark is already sitting at the top of the 2026 rankings.
Fellow Ethiopians Tadese Worku (59:20) and Bereket Nega (1:00:20) completed a clean podium sweep. On the women’s side, Fotyen Tesfay won in 1:03:57.
Kejelcha said he felt good mid-race and decided to go all out. He even joked about trying Argentine meat afterward and catching a football match. Classic Yomif.
This comes after his stunning marathon debut in London earlier this year, when he ran under two hours. Another big moment for Ethiopian road running.
