Letesenbet Gidey sets women’s world record at Valencia Half Marathon

Ethiopian athlete Letesenbet Gidey broke the half marathon world record today at the 30th Trinidad Alfonso EDP Valencia Half Marathon with a stratospheric time of 1:02:52. This is 70 seconds off the previous record for the distance (1:04:02 by Ruth Chepngetich). Gidey ran a perfect race, leading at all times and delivering a performance to be remembered.

After Gidey’s great performance, the second classified Yalemzerf Yehualaw crossed the finish line with 1:03:51, also below the previous world record. Sheila Chepkirui finished third with 1:04:54.

This way, the Valencia Half Marathon becomes the only race that currently holds the women’s and men’s world record for the same distance, as Kibiwott Kandie’s 57:32 (Elite Edition of 2020) is still the best in history.

Great world mark

In the men’s race, Kenyan Abel Kipchumba won the race with a time of 58:07, which is the world’s best time for 2021, 41 seconds faster than the previous best (58:48), which was also his.

Kipchumba was followed by Rhonex Kipruto in 58:09 and Daniel Mateiko in 58:26.