Jacob Kiplimo: Why World Athletics Will Not Ratify Ugandan Legend's World Record
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Ugandan distance running great Jacob Kiplimo's sensational half-marathon world record, set at last year's Barcelona Half-Marathon, has been invalidated by World Athletics due to rule violations.
Kiplimo's winning time of 56:42, which would have made him the first athlete to break the 57-minute barrier, was found to be non-compliant with the sport's technical regulations.
The decision means Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha retains the official world record with his time of 57:30, set at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon.
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The issue stems from illegal pacing assistance. According to World Athletics' Technical Rules (Article 6.3.1), athletes are prohibited from receiving aid from individuals not participating in the race or from technical devices.
Which Rules Did Kiplimo Break?
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Broadcast footage from the Barcelona race revealed Kiplimo running closely behind the lead pace car, maintaining a distance of approximately 10 to 15 metres for a significant portion of the event. This was deemed to be an unfair advantage.
While the rules do not explicitly state a minimum distance between athletes and pace vehicles, World Athletics determined that the proximity constituted illegal assistance.
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As per Canadian Running Magazine, other reports also suggest that Kiplimo may have breached another rule by receiving coaching advice during the competition.
Despite the setback, athletics fans can look forward to a thrilling showdown between the two elite runners. Both Kiplimo and Kejelcha are scheduled to compete head-to-head at the 2026 London Marathon on April 26.
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