Kenya's Agnes Ngetich broke the women-only half-marathon world record while winning gold at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, finishing well clear of her nearest rival.
Key facts
- Agnes Ngetich won gold at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.
- She broke the women-only half-marathon world record by one second, according to Al Jazeera.
- Ngetich finished 50 seconds ahead of compatriot Veronica Loleo.
- Loleo took second place in the race.
Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich broke the world record for a women-only half marathon as she claimed gold at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, according to the BBC.
Al Jazeera reported that Ngetich lowered the previous women-only half-marathon world record by a single second, underlining how narrow the margin was between her performance and the mark that stood before.
The victory was also emphatic in terms of the finishing order. Al Jazeera reported that Ngetich crossed the line 50 seconds ahead of her compatriot Veronica Loleo, who finished second.
The result gave Kenya both of the top two places in the race, with Ngetich taking gold and Loleo the runner-up spot.
A women-only race is one contested without male pacemakers, which is why records set in such events are recognised separately from mixed-race times. Ngetich’s run therefore stands as a benchmark within that specific category.
The championships in Copenhagen provided the stage for the record, with Ngetich’s performance headlining the event as reported by both the BBC and Al Jazeera.
Why it matters
World records in athletics mark the outer limits of human performance, and a women-only record is significant because it reflects a race run without male pacemakers. Ngetich's win also extends Kenya's strong tradition in distance running, with Kenyan athletes taking the top two places.
Frequently asked questions
By how much did Agnes Ngetich break the record?
According to Al Jazeera, Ngetich broke the women-only half-marathon world record by one second.
Where did the race take place?
The race was held at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, according to the BBC.
Who finished second?
Ngetich's compatriot Veronica Loleo finished second, 50 seconds behind, as reported by Al Jazeera.