Ethiopian athlete shatters global 21km record in Buenos Aires

Ethiopian distance runner Yomif Kejelcha completely rewrote track and field history on Sunday. Racing at the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires, the two-time Olympian set a stunning new half marathon world record with a blistering time of 56 minutes and 51 seconds. This phenomenal performance knocked a remarkable 29 seconds off the previous pending mark. Ugandan star Jacob Kiplimo previously held the record, having run 57:20 in Lisbon just months ago. Kejelcha exacted his revenge on the flat coastal roads of the Argentine capital. He effectively reclaimed the official title he first captured back in October 2024, when he logged a 57:30 finish in Valencia. The fierce rivalry between East African runners continues to push the boundaries of human endurance in long-distance racing.

To accomplish this historic feat, the 28-year-old maintained a mind-boggling average pace. He clocked roughly two minutes and 42 seconds per kilometre through the middle stretch. Passing the 15-kilometre mark, he refused to let fatigue slow him down. Instead, he deployed his sharp track mechanics and unleashed a powerful kick over the final five kilometres. He crossed the finish line entirely unchallenged, leaving his closest competitors over two minutes behind.

Expanding His Legacy

This monumental victory caps off an extraordinary year for the Ethiopian sensation. Earlier this spring, he officially broke the legendary two-hour barrier in the marathon distance. He registered 1:59:41 in London to secure the second-fastest marathon debut ever recorded. Now, Kejelcha stands undisputed as the fastest man over 21.097 kilometres. His breathtaking run is currently pending formal ratification by World Athletics, but his absolute dominance on the road remains unquestionable.

With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI