Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich delivered a historic performance at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26, setting a new women-only world half marathon record of 1:05:15.
The 25-year-old dominated the race from the early stages and crossed the finish line 50 seconds ahead of Kenyan teammate Veronica Loleo, securing her second global title of the year after winning the world cross-country crown in Tallahassee.
Ngetich’s winning time improved the previous women-only half marathon world record of 1:05:16, set by fellow Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia.
The Kenyan star established her intentions immediately, reaching 5km in 15:12 and 10km in 30:39. By 15km, she had extended her advantage significantly, recording 46:17, before passing 20km in 1:01:56.
Maintaining her pace through the closing stages, Ngetich crossed the finish line in 1:05:15, breaking the previous world record by just one second.
The achievement adds another major milestone to Ngetich’s impressive career. She also holds world records for 10km, with 28:46 in a mixed race and 29:27 in a women-only race.
Behind her, Veronica Loleo claimed silver in 1:06:05, while Rwanda’s Florence Niyonkuru secured bronze with a national record of 1:06:08.
Ngetich also helped Kenya win the women’s team title, alongside Loleo and Daisilah Jerono, with a combined time of 3:17:33. The United States earned team silver, while Ethiopia claimed bronze.
The Copenhagen performance further strengthens Ngetich’s remarkable 2026 season and establishes another significant benchmark in women’s distance running.
