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Kejlecha in Buenos Aires has broken the world record for the half marathon
Slovenia⚽ Sports8/23/2026

Kejlecha in Buenos Aires has broken the world record for the half marathon

Etiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha has set a new world record in the half marathon (21,0975 km) by completing the race in 56 minutes and 51 seconds during an event in Buenos Aires. This improves upon the previous record held by Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, who had run the distance in 57:20 minutes in Lisbon earlier this year. Kejelcha previously held the world record before Kiplimo, achieving a time of 57:30 in October 2024. If officially ratified by World Athletics, Kejelcha would become the first person in history to complete a half marathon in under 57 minutes. Kiplimo's earlier attempt in February 2025, where he ran 56:42, was not ratified due to suspected wind assistance from a car driving ahead of him. Additionally, Kejelcha recently broke the world record in the marathon with a time of 1:59:41 in April, just behind Kenya's Samuel Wanjiru, who ran 1:59:30.

Yomif Kejelcha, an Ethiopian long-distance runner, has set a new world record in the half marathon in Buenos Aires, Argentina, achieving a time of 56 minutes and 51 seconds over a distance of 21.0975 kilometers. The result was recorded on August 23, 2026, during a race held on the streets of the capital city. While Kejelcha awaits official confirmation of his performance, the achievement marks a major milestone in the sport of athletics. The race took place under favorable conditions, with Kejelcha demonstrating exceptional speed and endurance. His time of 56:51 improves upon the previous world record, which was set by Jacob Kipruto from Uganda in March 2026 during a race in Lisbon. Kipruto’s time of 57:20 had already been surpassed by Kejelcha earlier this year, when he ran the half marathon in 57:30, breaking the record previously held by Kipruto. Now, with another improvement, Kejelcha has once again taken the lead in the competition. Kejelcha, who is also the current world record holder in the 10-kilometer race, has shown consistent excellence across multiple distances. His recent performances have positioned him as one of the top athletes in the global athletic community. The Buenos Aires race, however, stands out due to its significance in pushing the boundaries of human endurance. If officially ratified by World Athletics, the governing body responsible for verifying all records, Kejelcha would become the first person in history to complete a half marathon in under 57 minutes. Jacob Kipruto's previous attempt at setting a world record in February 2025 ended in controversy. During that race, Kipruto finished in 56:42, but the result was not recognized by World Athletics. Officials determined that Kipruto had received assistance from a vehicle traveling ahead of him, which violated the rules of fair competition. This ruling effectively invalidated his record, leaving the title open for others to challenge. In April 2026, Kejelcha further demonstrated his prowess by completing the marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds. This time placed him second behind Sebastian Sawe, a Kenyan athlete who set the marathon world record at 1:59:30. The two runners represent some of the fastest competitors in the sport today, each having contributed significantly to the evolution of track and field standards. The Buenos Aires race attracted international attention, drawing spectators and media coverage from around the globe. The event highlighted the growing popularity of road racing in South America, particularly in cities such as Buenos Aires, which have increasingly hosted high-profile competitions. The presence of elite athletes like Kejelcha underscores the region’s potential to host future world-class events. World Athletics will review Kejelcha’s performance in the coming weeks. The organization typically conducts thorough investigations into all record-breaking results to ensure they meet strict criteria. If confirmed, Kejelcha’s time will stand as a new benchmark for the half marathon, potentially inspiring future generations of athletes to push even further. For now, the focus remains on the verification process, with anticipation building among fans and fellow competitors alike.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Dnevnik logoDnevnikIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 808/23/2026
Ethiopian Kejelcha has set a new world record in Buenos Aires

Etiopski atlet Yomif Kejelcha je v Buenos Airesu postavil nov svetovni rekord v polmaratonu, kar znaša 56 minut in 51 sekund. Rekord je izboljšal prejšnji rekord Ugandca Jacoba Kiplima, ki je dosegel čas 57:20 marca v Lizboni. Kejelcha je tako prevzel rekord, ki ga je že imel pred Kiplimom (57:30, oktobra 2024). Če bo rekord uradno potrjen, bo Etiopijec postal prvi človek v zgodovini, ki je polmaraton pretekel v manj kot 57 minutah. Kiplimo je februarja 2025 pretekel polmaraton v času 56:42, vendar je rekord ostal nepriznan zaradi možnega koristi od zavetrja avtomobila. Kejelcha je april v Londonu pretekel maraton v 1,59:41, medtem ko Kenijec Sebastian Sawe je tekel rekordne 1,59:30.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports achievement without any political implications. The focus is solely on athletic performance, world records, and competition among athletes, which does not involve political issues, policies, or governance. Therefore, the framing is neutral and balanced, resulting in a

Why factuality (85): The article reports on Yomif Kejelcha setting a new world record in the half marathon in Buenos Aires, citing the time as 56 minutes and 51 seconds. It references previous records by Jacob Kipling and Sebastian Sawe, and mentions the potential official recognition by World Athletics. The information

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, presenting the facts without overt bias. However, there is some emphasis on Kejelcha's achievement and his history as a world record holder, which slightly leans towards celebrating his success.

Siol.net logoSiol.netState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 808/23/2026
Kejlecha in Buenos Aires has broken the world record for the half marathon

Etiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha has set a new world record in the half marathon (21,0975 km) by completing the race in 56 minutes and 51 seconds during an event in Buenos Aires. This improves upon the previous record held by Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, who had run the distance in 57:20 minutes in Lisbon earlier this year. Kejelcha previously held the world record before Kiplimo, achieving a time of 57:30 in October 2024. If officially ratified by World Athletics, Kejelcha would become the first person in history to complete a half marathon in under 57 minutes. Kiplimo's earlier attempt in February 2025, where he ran 56:42, was not ratified due to suspected wind assistance from a car driving ahead of him. Additionally, Kejelcha recently broke the world record in the marathon with a time of 1:59:41 in April, just behind Kenya's Samuel Wanjiru, who ran 1:59:30.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports achievement involving a world record in athletics. There is no political framing, controversy, or ideological emphasis present. The content focuses purely on athletic performance and records, with no mention of political figures, policies, or contentious issues.

Why factuality (85): This article also reports on Kejelcha's new half marathon world record, with similar details about the time, previous records, and the potential official recognition. It matches the first article in content and aligns with the cross-source consensus, though again no direct source documentation is ci

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone but similarly highlights Kejelcha's achievements and his status as a world record holder, which may subtly favor his accomplishments over others.

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