Athletics star breaks world record after previously being stripped of title

Athletics star Jacob Kiplimo has broken a new world record after last effort was wiped from the books.

The 25-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the men's 10,000 metres at the 2022 Olympics, won the Barcelona half marathon in February 2025 with a record-setting time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds.

However, the achievement became null and void as World Athletics said that the record had been 'achieved with aids that violated the regulations'.

A report from Runner's World Spain said that the Ugandan 'took advantage of the slipstream of the nearby lead car that opened the race a few metres behind him to run with less air resistance'.

Kiplimo, who also claimed a time of 2:02:23 in the Chicago marathon, was unfortunate to be penalised and see his world record time unratified.

However, he responded in impressive by simply setting another world record in Lisbon on Sunday.

Kiplimo ran a time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds, breaking the world by 10 seconds.

WORLD RECORD!!!!!🔥🔥

Jacob Kiplimo 🇺🇬 runs 57:20 and breaks the half marathon World Record in Lisbon.

He broke the WR by 10 seconds, after his 56:42 wasn't ratified.pic.twitter.com/EnY5LilDX5

— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) March 8, 2026

The previous record was held by Yomif Kejelcha of Ethopia, who ran a time of 57:30 in Valencia back in October 2024.

Kiplimo was full of emotion as he crossed the finish line in rapid fashion in a race which did not include any pacemakers.

After the disappointment of having the record taken from him for a perceived lack of rule compliance, Kiplimo was understandably ecstatic about his incredible feat.

“I’m so happy to break the world record,” he said, speaking to World Athletics after the race.

“After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometres."

It is the second time he has set a world record in the Portuguese capital, previously coming in at 57 minutes and 31 seconds in 2021 before he was usurped by Kejelcha when he finished a second quicker three years later.

Kiplimo made an electric start to proceedings and ran the first 5km in 13 minutes and 28 seconds, setting the tone for a sensational race.

Kenyan pair Nicholas Kipkorir and Gilbert Kiprotich followed behind in second and third, with times of 58:08 and 58:59 respectively.