Kenyan Runner Agnes Ngetich Shatters Women-Only Half-Marathon World Record in Copenhagen

Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich secured her latest major title of the year at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Denmark, following her earlier victories in the team half-marathon and the World Cross Country Championships in the United States in January.

Ngetich took a second off the women-only half-marathon world record on Sunday in Copenhagen, crossing the finish line in one hour, five minutes, and 15 seconds. Having previously broken the women-only 10km world record last year, Ngetich set the pace from the start on a sunny morning in the Danish capital and maintained her lead to the end, finishing 50 seconds ahead of fellow compatriot Veronica Loleo.

The previous record was held by Peres Jepchirchir, who established the mark at the World Half Marathon title race in Poland in 2020. Meanwhile, the overall women’s half-marathon world record remains with Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who recorded a time of 1:02:52 at the mixed-gender Valencia Half Marathon in Spain in 2021.

Sunday's triumph marks another milestone for the 25-year-old Ngetich, adding to her impressive string of victories this year, which includes the team half marathon in Copenhagen and the World Cross Country Championships in Florida.