World record holder Jacob Kiplimo to run Delhi Half Marathon

Jacob Kiplimo, the reigning world half-marathon champion, will look to add another feather to his cap after winning both the RAK Half-Marathon in the UAE and the Great North Run half-marathon last week.

Jacob Kiplimo won the Great North Run Half-Marathon in the U.K. | Photo Credit: AP

Uganda’s world half-marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo will feature in the Delhi Half Marathon on October 16, the organisers announced on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Kiplimo is the reigning world half-marathon champion after winning the title in 2020. Last year, he ran a phenomenal world record time of 57:31 in Lisbon. The young star has already had an outstanding season, winning both the RAK Half-Marathon in the UAE in February and the Great North Run half-marathon last Sunday.

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Kiplimo had also won a 10,000m bronze in the World Athletics Championships in USA and a memorable 5,000m/10,000m double at the Commonwealth Games last month.

‘In good shape’

Ethiopia’s Amdework Walelegn improved on the Delhi course record to clock 58:53 in 2020, but Kiplimo believes he can run the fastest half-marathon ever seen on Indian soil during his first visit to the country next month.

“I have been told that the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon course is a quick one and the record suggests that you can run fast times there...with a month to go to the race, I am in good shape, and I will focus on preparing specifically for the race over the next few weeks,” said Kiplimo.

“I had a successful track season although I would have liked to have done a little better at the World Championships, but I have not raced too much this year, so I am still fresh and I want to show the people of Delhi and India what I am capable of,” he added.

The 17th edition of Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics elite label event, has a new title sponsor, with the race promoter Procam International joining forces with India’s leading natural resources conglomerate, Vedanta Limited.

The race has a prize fund of USD 268,000, and the international elite field will have its sights on the first prize of USD 27,000 for both men and women.