Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has created history by setting a new world record at the annual Barcelona half marathon on Sunday.
24-year-old Kiplimo finished first in a time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds to smash the previous record of 57 minutes, 30 seconds set by Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia last October.
“I am very excited about what I did today. I wanted to have a great race, but I didn’t expect to break the world record,” The two-time world cross country champion said after the race.
He added, “I started very strong in the first two kilometres to get away from my rivals. As the kilometres passed and I saw that I was going at record pace, I told myself that I had to maintain that pace no matter what it took.”
Kiplimo’s compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor finished second in a time of 58 minutes, 44 seconds while Kenya’s Samuel Mailu placed third in a time of 59 minutes and 40 seconds.