Kenyan Athlete Sets World Record in Women's Half Marathon

 Kenyan athlete Agnes Ngetich has set a world record in the women's half marathon, completing the distance in 1 hour 5 minutes 15 seconds, World Athletics announced on September 20.

"Ngetich ... has written her name into history: she crossed the finish line with a time of 1 hour 5 minutes 15 seconds," the press service reported.

The athlete improved by one second the previous world record set by her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir in 2020 (1 hour 5 minutes 16 seconds). Ngetich's result is subject to ratification.

The 25-year-old athlete achieved the record time at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen. Kenyan Veronica Loleo took second place (1 hour 6 minutes 5 seconds), while Rwanda's Florence Niyonkuru finished third (1 hour 6 minutes 8 seconds).

"Crossing the finish line with a world record, improving it by one second, was incredible," Ngetich said.

Ngetich also holds world records in the 10 km race — 28 minutes 46 seconds in a mixed race and 29 minutes 27 seconds in a women-only race.

In August, in Argentina, Ethiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha set a world record in the half marathon, completing the distance in 56 minutes 51 seconds. Kejelcha improved the world record by 29 seconds.