# Half marathon

A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (13 miles 192.5 yards)—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. If finisher medals are awarded, the medal or ribbon may differ from those for the full marathon. The half marathon is also known as a 21K, 21.1K, or 13.1 miles, although these values are rounded and not formally correct.
A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics. The men's world record time, pending ratification, is 56:42, set by Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda in February 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. 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 1:05:16, set by Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in October 2020.
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 is the fastest-growing type of race.

## History

The concept of the half-marathon emerged in the 1960s. The first half marathon was the Route du Vin Half Marathon founded in 1961. Although the race was technically not the official current distance until it was standardized in 1995. 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.

## All-time top 25
### Men

* Correct as of February 2025.
| Rank | Time | Athlete | Date | Place |
| 1 | 56:42 | Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) | 16 February 2025 | Barcelona |
| 2 | 57:30 | Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 3 | 57:32 | Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) | 6 December 2020 | Valencia |
| 4 | 57:41 | Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) | 22 October 2023 | Valencia |
| 5 | 57:50 | Selemon Barega (ETH) | 22 October 2023 | Valencia |
| 6 | 57:59 | Alexander Mutiso (KEN) | 6 December 2020 | Valencia |
| 7 | 58:01 | Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) | 15 September 2019 | Copenhagen |
| 8 | 58:02 | Sabastian Sawe (KEN) | 6 March 2022 | Rome–Ostia |
| 9 | 58:07 | Abel Kipchumba (KEN) | 24 October 2021 | Valencia |
| 10 | 58:10 | Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN) | 15 September 2024 | Copenhagen |
| 11 | 58:11 | Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) | 6 December 2020 | Valencia |
| 12 | 58:17 | Daniel Mateiko (KEN) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 13 | 58:23 | Zersenay Tadese (ERI) | 21 March 2010 | Lisbon |
| 14 | 58:28 | Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) | 24 October 2021 | Valencia |
| 15 | 58:30 | Rodgers Kwemoi (KEN) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 16 | 58:33 | Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) | 17 March 2007 | The Hague |
| 16 | 58:33 | Jemal Yimer (ETH) | 28 October 2018 | Valencia |
| 18 | 58:35 | Kenneth Kiprop Renju (KEN) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 19 | 58:36 | Seifu Tura Abdiwak (ETH) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 20 | 58:39 | Gemechu Dida (ETH) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 21 | 58:40 | Abraham Cheroben (BHR) | 17 September 2017 | Copenhagen |
| 21 | 58:40 | Muktar Edris (ETH) | 24 October 2021 | Valencia |
| 21 | 58:40 | Amdework Walelegn Tadese (ETH) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 24 | 58:41 | Vincent Langat (KEN) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 25 | 58:42 | Bedan Karoki Muchiri (KEN) | 9 February 2018 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 25 | 58:42 | Eric Kiptanui (KEN) | 8 April 2018 | Berlin |
| 25 | 58:42 | Stephen Kiprop (KEN) | 8 February 2019 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 25 | 58:42 | Kelvin Kiptum (KEN) | 6 December 2020 | Valencia |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:43:
* Jacob Kiplimo also ran 57:31 (2021), 57:37 (2020), 57:56 (2022) and 58:09 (2024).
* Kibiwott Kandie also ran 57:40 (2023), 58:10 (2022) and 58:38 (2020).
* Yomif Kejelcha also ran 57:41 (2023) and 58:32 (2022).
* Sabastian Sawe also ran 58:05 (2024), 58:24 (2024), 58:29 (2023).
* Abraham Kiptum ran 58:18, but it was expunged for doping.
* Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi also ran 58:21 (2024).
* Zersenay Tadese also ran 58:30 (2011).
* Daniel Mateiko also ran 58:26 (2021) and 58:40 (2022).
* Philemon Kiplimo also ran 58:34 (2021).
Performance annulled due to doping offences:
| Time | Athlete | Date | Place | Ref |
| 57:49 | Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) | 6 December 2020 | Valencia | |

### Women

* Correct as of February 2025.
| Rank | Time | Athlete | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1:02:52 Mx | Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) | 24 October 2021 | Valencia |
| 2 | 1:03:04 Mx | Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 3 | 1:03:21 Mx | Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 4 | 1:03:32 Mx | Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 5 | 1:03:51 Mx | Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) | 24 October 2021 | Valencia |
| 6 | 1:04:02 Mx | Ruth Chepng'etich (KEN) | 4 April 2021 | Istanbul |
| 7 | 1:04:13 Mx | Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) | 16 February 2025 | Barcelona |
| 8 | 1:04:14 Mx | Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 8 | 1:04:14 Mx | Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) | 27 October 2024 | Valencia |
| 10 | 1:04:22 Mx | Hellen Obiri (KEN) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 11 | 1:04:31 Mx | Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) | 21 February 2020 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 12 | 1:04:36 Mx | Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) | 19 February 2022 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 13 | 1:04:37 | Irine Kimais (KEN) | 19 February 2023 | Barcelona |
| 13 | 1:04:37 Mx | Sutume Kebede (ETH) | 14 January 2024 | Houston |
| 15 | 1:04:40 Mx | Senbere Teferi (ETH) | 11 February 2024 | Barcelona |
| 16 | 1:04:46 | Margaret Kipkemboi (KEN) | 22 October 2023 | Valencia |
| 17 | 1:04:49 | Brigid Kosgei (KEN) | 21 February 2020 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 18 | 1:04:52 | Fancy Chemutai (KEN) | 9 February 2018 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 19 | 1:04:53 | Irene Chepet Cheptai (KEN) | 22 October 2023 | Valencia |
| 20 | 1:04:55 | Mary Keitany (KEN) | 9 February 2018 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 21 | 1:05:01 Mx | Tsehay Gemechu (ETH) | 28 August 2022 | Larne |
| 22 | 1:05:03 Mx | Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN) | 16 January 2022 | Houston |
| 23 | 1:05:04 | Joan Chelimo (KEN) | 7 April 2018 | Prague |
| 24 | 1:05:06 | Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) | 10 February 2017 | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 25 | 1:05:07 | Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui (KEN) | 9 February 2018 | Ras al-Khaimah |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:07:
* Yalemzerf Yehualaw also ran 1:03:44 Mx a (2021, not legal), 1:04:22 Mx (2022), 1:04:40 Mx (2021), 1:04:46 (2020).
* Brigid Kosgei also ran 1:04:28 Mx a (2019).
* Joyciline Jepkosgei also ran 1:04:29 Mx (2024), 1:04:46 (2023), 1:04:51 (2017), 1:04:52 (2017).
* Hellen Obiri also ran 1:04:48 (2022), 1:04:51 Mx (2021).
* Sheila Chepkirui also ran 1:04:53 Mx (2021).
* Ruth Chepngetich also ran 1:05:06 (2020).

## Season's bests

This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS.
| Year | Mark | Men | Place | Mark | Women | Place |
| 1970 | 1:03:53 | Derek Graham (GBR) | Belfast | | | |
| 1971 | 1:05:25 | Ron Hill (GBR) | Freckleton | 1:23:56 | Kathy Gibbons (USA) | Phoenix |
| 1972 | 1:04:23 | Víctor Manuel Mora (COL) | Coamo | 1:31:55 | Nadia Garcia (USA) | San Diego |
| 1973 | 1:05:07 | Mario Cuevas (MEX) | Maracaibo | | | |
| 1974 | 1:04:45 | Vladimir Merkushin (URS) | Wieze | 1:23:11 | Chantal Langlacé (FRA) | Ay |
| 1975 | 1:05:08 | Paul Angenvoorth (FRG) | Grevenmacher | | | |
| 1976 | 1:03:46 | Rafael Pérez (CRC) | Coamo | 1:29:43 | Rita Borralho (POR) | Nazaré |
| 1977 | 1:02:37 | Toshihiro Matsumoto (JPN) | Beppu | 1:22:05 | Silvana Cruciata (ITA) | Milan |
| 1978 | 1:02:47 | Tony Simmons (GBR) | Welwyn Garden City | 1:15:04 | Marty Cooksey (USA) | San Diego |
| 1979 | 1:02:32 | Kirk Pfeffer (USA) | Las Vegas | 1:14:03 | Patti Catalano (USA) | Manchester |
| 1980 | 1:02:16 | Stan Mavis (USA) | New Orleans | 1:13:59 | Marja Wokke (NED) | The Hague |
| 1981 | 1:01:47 | Herb Lindsay (USA) | Manchester | 1:11:16 | Joan Samuelson (USA) | San Diego |
| 1982 | 1:01:36 | Michael Musyoki (KEN) | Philadelphia | 1:09:57 | Grete Waitz (NOR) | Gothenburg |
| 1983 | 1:01:32 | Paul Cummings (USA) | Dayton | 1:09:10 | Joan Samuelson (USA) | Philadelphia |
| 1984 | 1:01:52 | Alberto Cova (ITA) | Milan | 1:08:34 | Joan Samuelson (USA) | Philadelphia |
| 1985 | 1:00:55 | Mark Curp (USA) | Philadelphia | 1:09:44 | Joan Samuelson (USA) | Philadelphia |
| 1986 | 1:00:43 | Michael Musyoki (KEN) | South Shields | 1:09:03 | Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) | Drammen |
| 1987 | 1:01:04 | Carl Thackery (GBR) | Barnsley | 1:06:40 | Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) | Sandnes |
| 1988 | 1:01:00 | John Treacy (IRL) | South Shields | 1:08:49 | Grete Waitz (NOR) | South Shields |
| 1989 | 1:01:10 | Matthews Temane (RSA) | Durban | 1:08:31 | Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) | New Bedford |
| 1990 | 1:00:34 | Steve Moneghetti (AUS) | South Shields | 1:09:33 | Rosa Mota (POR) | South Shields |
| 1991 | 1:00:51 | Moses Tanui (KEN) | Milan | 1:07:59 | Elana Meyer (RSA) | East London |
| 1992 | 1:00:24 | Benson Masya (KEN) | South Shields | 1:08:42 | Liz McColgan (GBR) | Dundee |
| 1993 | 59:47 | Moses Tanui (KEN) | Milan | 1:09:35 | Valentina Yegorova (RUS) | St Petersburg |
| 1994 | 1:00:02 | Benson Masya (KEN) | South Shields | 1:07:59 | Uta Pippig (GER) | Kyoto |
| 1995 | 1:00:26 | Simon Lopuyet (KEN) | Lisbon | 1:07:59 | Uta Pippig (GER) | Kyoto |
| 1996 | 1:00:31 | Paul Koech (KEN) | Ivry-sur-Seine | 1:09:15 | Nadia Prasad (NCL) | Paris |
| 1997 | 59:56 | Shem Kororia (KEN) | Košice | 1:07:36 | Elana Meyer (RSA) | Kyoto |
| 1998 | 59:17 | Paul Tergat (KEN) | Milan | 1:07:29 | Elana Meyer (RSA) | Kyoto |
| 1999 | 59:22 | Paul Tergat (KEN) | Milan | 1:06:44 | Elana Meyer (RSA) | Tokyo |
| 2000 | 1:00:30 | Kenichi Takahashi (JPN) | Tokyo | 1:07:07 | Paula Radcliffe (GBR) | South Shields |
| 2001 | 59:52 | Fabián Roncero (ESP) | Berlin | 1:06:47 | Paula Radcliffe (GBR) | Bristol |
| 2002 | 59:41 | Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) | Lisbon | 1:07:19 | Sonia O'Sullivan (IRL) | South Shields |
| 2003 | 1:00:01 | Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) | South Shields | 1:05:39 | Paula Radcliffe (GBR) | South Shields |
| 2004 | 59:37 | Dejene Berhanu (ETH) | South Shields | 1:07:55 | Benita Johnson (AUS) | South Shields |
| 2005 | 59:05 | Zersenay Tadese (ERI) | South Shields | 1:07:33 | Derartu Tulu (ETH) | South Shields |
| 2006 | 58:55 | Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) | Tempe | 1:07:16 | Edith Masai (KEN) | Berlin |
| 2007 | 58:35 | Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) | The Hague | 1:06:25 | Lornah Kiplagat (NED) | Udine |
| 2008 | 59:15 | Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Deriba Merga (ETH) | Lisbon New Delhi | 1:07:57 | Philes Ongori (KEN) | Marugame |
| 2009 | 58:52 | Patrick Makau (KEN) | Ras al-Khaimah | 1:06:36 | Mary Keitany (KEN) | Birmingham |
| 2010 | 58:23 | Zersenay Tadese (ERI) | Lisbon | 1:07:07 | Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 2011 | 58:30 | Zersenay Tadese (ERI) | Lisbon | 1:05:50 | Mary Keitany (KEN) | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 2012 | 58:47 | Atsedu Tsegay (ETH) | Prague | 1:06:49 | Mary Keitany (KEN) | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 2013 | 58:54 | Geoffrey Kipsang (KEN) | Ras al-Khaimah | 1:06:09 | Lucy Kabuu (KEN) | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 2014 | 58:48 | Abraham Cheroben (KEN) | Valencia | 1:05:12 | Florence Kiplagat (KEN) | Barcelona |
| 2015 | 59:10 | Abraham Cheroben (KEN) | Valencia | 1:05:09 | Florence Kiplagat (KEN) | Barcelona |
| 2016 | 58:44 | Solomon Yego (KEN) | Ostia | 1:05:51 | Violah Jepchumba (KEN) | Prague |
| 2017 | 58:40 | Abraham Cheroben (BHR) | Copenhagen | 1:04:51 | Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) | Valencia |
| 2018 | 58:18 | Abraham Kiptum (KEN) | Valencia | 1:04:52 | Fancy Chemutai (KEN) | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 2019 | 58:01 | Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) | Copenhagen | 1:05:28 | Brigid Kosgei (KEN) | Manama |
| 2020 | 57:32 | Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) | Valencia | 1:04:31 | Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) | Ras al-Khaimah |
| 2021 | 57:31 | Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) | Lisbon | 1:02:52 | Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) | Valencia |
| 2022 | 57:56 | Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) | Ras al-Khaimah | 1:04:14 | Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) | Ras al-Khaimah |
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.