Buenos Aires, Argentina – On Sunday, August 24, 2025, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda delivered a standout performance at the 21K de Buenos Aires, a World Athletics Label Road race, securing victory with a time of 58:29. This marked a significant improvement over the previous course record, achieved despite challenging conditions of strong winds and chilly temperatures around 8°C.

Breaking the Record Amid Adversity

Kiplimo, already a two-time World Cross Country champion and the current holder of the world half marathon record at 56:42, showcased his elite form by leading a pack that covered the first 5km in 13:42. He and Kenya’s Emmanuel Wafula stayed close to the pacemaker before overtaking him around the 19-minute mark. By the 9km mark, Kiplimo had established a commanding lead, finishing the 10km segment in 27:25—nine seconds faster than Wafula.

Rivalry and Pace

The race saw a competitive battle as Kiplimo maintained his aggressive pace, clocking 13:38 for the third km section and reaching 15km in 41:03, with a 55-second advantage over Wafula. While the wind intensified in the final stages, Kiplimo’s resilience shone through, edging out Wafula by 36 seconds to claim the win. Ethiopian runner Seifu Tura narrowly missed a podium spot, finishing in 59:56, while other notable competitors included Bereket Nega Batebo (1:00:03) and Isaac Kipkemboi (1:00:03).

Personal Reflections and Future Ambitions

Speaking after the race, Kiplimo highlighted his admiration for soccer legend Lionel Messi, expressing excitement about competing in Buenos Aires. “I felt great throughout, but the wind affected me,” he said. “My main target for today was to simply enjoy the experience, and I did that. As a fan of Messi, I was eager to be here. My build-up for the Chicago Marathon is going well—I hope to be close to the world record there.”

Women’s Race Highlights

The women’s race also saw strong performances, with Kenya’s Veronica Loleo emerging victorious in 1:06:58. She narrowly beat Ethiopian runner Ftaw Zeray (1:07:07) and fellow Kenyan Catherine Amanangole (1:07:13). The field initially set a swift pace, covering the first 5km in 15:17, but the tempo slowed as the race progressed, preventing a record-breaking attempt.

Top Finishers

Men’s Top Five:
1. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 58:29
2. Seifu Tura (ETH) – 59:56
3. Vincent Nyamongo (KEN) – 59:57
4. Bereket Nega (ETH) – 1:00:03
5. Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN) – 1:00:03

Women’s Top Five:
1. Veronica Loleo (KEN) – 1:06:58
2. Ftaw Zeray (ETH) – 1:07:07
3. Catherine Amanangole (KEN) – 1:07:13
4. Jesca Chelangat (KEN) – 1:07:41
5. Ludwina Chepngetich (KEN) – 1:07:44

Additional reporting by Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics.

 

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#Lionel Messi #Half Marathon #Course Record #Jacob Kiplimo #World Athletics