Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world half marathon record-holder, delivered a commanding performance at the 21K de Buenos Aires, smashing the course record with a time of 58:29. Kenya’s Veronica Loleo claimed victory in the women’s race, finishing in 1:06:58.
The race unfolded in tough conditions, with strong winds and temperatures hovering around 8°C. The men’s pack opened aggressively, covering 5km in 13:42, led by the pacemaker alongside Kiplimo and Kenya’s Emmanuel Wafula. By the 9km mark, Kiplimo had moved clear, reaching 10km in 27:25 — nine seconds ahead of Wafula.
Behind him, the chase featured pacemaker Bereket Nega Batebo (27:59), Kenya’s Vincent Nyamongo and Isaac Kipkemoi, and Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura. But Kiplimo pressed on relentlessly, hitting 15km in 41:03 with a 55-second cushion. Despite battling the wind in the closing stretch, he carved 36 seconds off the course record to take victory.
Wafula faded late and was caught in the final kilometre, with Ethiopia’s Tura edging Nyamongo for second place, both dipping under 60 minutes.
“I felt strong, but the wind made it difficult,” said Kiplimo, who also set the world record of 56:42 earlier this year in Barcelona. “I came here to enjoy the race, and I did. As a Messi fan, running in Buenos Aires was special. My preparation for the Chicago Marathon is going well. I won’t go out chasing the world record, but I hope to finish close to it.”
In the women’s contest, Catherine Amanangole of Kenya, Loleo, and Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray covered the first 5km in a sharp 15:17 before the pace slowed toward 10km, reached in 31:18. The tempo dropped further in the latter stages, ending hopes of a course record, but Loleo held firm to secure the win in 1:06:58. Zeray followed in 1:07:07, with Amanangole third in 1:07:13.
Top Results
Men
- Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – 58:29
- Seifu Tura (ETH) – 59:56
- Vincent Nyamongo (KEN) – 59:57
- Bereket Nega (ETH) – 1:00:03
- Isaac Kipkemoi (KEN) – 1:00:03
Women
- Veronica Loleo (KEN) – 1:06:58
- Ftaw Zeray (ETH) – 1:07:07
- Catherine Amanangole (KEN) – 1:07:13
- Jesca Chelangat (KEN) – 1:07:41
- Ludwina Chepngetich (KEN) – 1:07:44
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