Abraham Kiptum sets new world record for half marathon

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Abraham Kiptum from Kenya won the men's race at the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain on Sunday by finishing with 58 minutes and 18 seconds, setting a new world record for the half marathon.

"I can't believe it, I'm over the moon. Obviously I knew I was in good shape because I set a PB last month in Copenhagen, but I was eager to run in Valencia because it's one of the flattest circuits I've ever run, and I was confident of improving on my best," said Kiptum to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The previous world record for half marathon is held by Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese. /VCG Photo

During the race, the leading group finished the first five kilometers with 13 minutes and 56 seconds and spent 28 minutes and two seconds after the first 10 kilometers. Soon, Kiptum sped up to lead the race.

"I realized the race slowed down between the ninth and 10th kilometer, so I decided to step up the pace and go for everything," said Kiptum.

When he reached the 20th kilometer, Kiptum was already three seconds faster than the world record (55 minutes and 21 seconds). In the end, he broke the previous record (58 minutes and 23 seconds) set by Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese in Lisbon in 2010 and won the championship.

Ethiopia's Gelete Burka wins the women's race with one hour, six minutes and 11 seconds at the Valencia Half Marathon. /VCG Photo

Before the race, Kiptum's personal best (PB) for half marathon was 59 minutes and nine seconds set by him on September 2016 at the Copenhagen Half Marathon. His victory on Sunday is 51 seconds faster than his old record.

Gelete Burka from Ethiopia won the women's race with one hour, six minutes and 11 seconds.