Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha sets world half-marathon record in Buenos Aires

Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha set a new world record in the Buenos Aires half-marathon on Sunday, winning the race in an official time of 56 minutes and 51 seconds, organisers said.

The previous record of 57:20 had been set by Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon in March this year.

"I'm very, very happy. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a world record. I was hoping to break the course record, although one of my goals was to go under 57 minutes. It's a dream. I'm very happy right now," Kejelcha said.

The 29-year-old Kejelcha led an all-Ethiopian podium in the capital, with compatriots Tadese Worku second in 59:20 and Bereket Nega third in 1:00:20.

"It is my first time in Argentina. I told my manager I needed to go somewhere between London and Valencia, and he told me to come to Buenos Aires because it was the best race for me at the moment," the Ethiopian distance runner said before the race.

The leading Argentine runner was Ignacio Erario, who finished sixth in 1:00:59.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Fotyen Tesfay Haiylu won in 1:03:57, followed by Turkey's Nevin Can in 1:05:06 and Selin Can in 1:05:11.

About 30,000 runners took part in the Buenos Aires half-marathon on a sunny morning with freezing temperatures in the middle of the southern winter.

The 21-kilometre urban course passes several landmarks in the capital, including Avenida 9 de Julio, home to the city's iconic Obelisk.

– TIMES/AFP