Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo on Saturday stunned a rich field to win the World Half Marathon Championships gold in a new championship record in Gdynia, Poland.
It was a thrilling exchange of leads in the last two kilometres between Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie and Kiplimo before the world cross country silver medalist won in 58 minutes and 49 seconds.
The 19-year-old’s set a new record after beating Geoffrey Kamwroror’s previous championship record time of 59:08 set in 2014 Copenhagen. It was also Uganda’s first ever medal from the championships.
World cross country and 10,000m World Champion Joshua Cheptegei also from Uganda came in fourth in a personal best 59:21.
This was Cheptegei’s first ever half marathon race.
Cheptegei, who was eying history as the first man to win three major world titles on track cross country and road, guided the pack of 23 through 10km in 28:23 seconds.
“It was a good race and I enjoyed the course. It was my first time at the World Half Marathon Championships and I won!” said a beaming Kiplimo.