Ethiopian long-distance runner Yomif Kejelcha made history on Sunday when he set a new 21K world record, clocking in at 56 minutes and 51 seconds en route to winning the Buenos Aires Half Marathon.
The 28-year-old athlete broke Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo’s mark of 57 minutes and 20 seconds, set on March 8 of this year in Lisbon.
“I’m very happy, it’s a dream,” a visibly moved Kejelcha told the press at the finish line.
The Ethiopian distance runner had arrived in Buenos Aires as one of the standout figures in the half marathon, having earned several wins and podium finishes in the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
He also holds the second-fastest marathon time in history and recently delivered a historic performance at the London Marathon, finishing just 11 seconds behind the winner, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya, who finished in 1:59:30.
