Sterling young teenager, Jacob Kiplimo eclipsed his rivals to smash the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020 in 58:49.

Only 19 years of age, and running the 21km distance for only the second time, the Ugandan surprised the field to reign supreme at the top of the podium.

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According to World Athletics, this is the first time in the 28-year history of this event that a Ugandan athlete won the long-distance running race. Into the last four laps, Kiplimo surged ahead with such a blistering pace to leave all his rivals behind.

Jubilantly, he crossed the finishing line, delighted with an additional bonus of a championship record. Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie finished second in 58:54 while Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn came in third in 59:08.

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Newly crowned 5000m and 10000m world champion and record holder – Joshua Cheptegei, finished fourth place in 59:21 on his debut at the distance.

Source: WorldAthletics.org