Podium Sweep for Ethiopian Athletes in the Men’s Category at the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires Half Marathon Event
By Borkena Desk
(TORONTO, Canada) —Twenty-nine-year-old Ethiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha reclaimed the half-marathon world record on Sunday. He finished the distance in 56:51 minutes, chopping 29 seconds off the previous mark. Before Kejelcha’s win, the record stood at 57:20, set by Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon.
Yomif Kejelcha’s new world record was set at the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires, a World Athletics Label road race, in the Argentinean capital.
In April 2026, he completed his marathon debut at the London Marathon, finishing the distance in 1:59:41, which made him the fastest debutant. Before his marathon debut, he competed in the 5,000 and 10,000-meter categories.
According to World Athletics, Yomif stated before the Buenos Aires race that he planned to run under 58 minutes.
World Athletics quoted him as saying:
“I had planned to run conservatively over the early stages, but I felt good and decided to give it my all. This time is unbelievable; I can’t describe it with words. I now hope to try the Argentinean meat, which has a very good reputation! And this afternoon I have been invited to watch the River Plate-Velez football match. I’m very grateful.”
He maintained his energy after the race, telling World Athletics:
“I’m super happy and right now I don’t feel any tiredness. The travel from Ethiopia was too long and I was tired the first days here, but later I felt better and today I was full of beans.”
Ethiopian athletes dominated the men’s category. His compatriots Tadesse Worku and Bereket Nega finished second and third with times of 59:20 and 1:00:20, respectively.
Women’s Category
Fotyen Tesfay, another Ethiopian athlete, won the race in the women’s category, clocking 1:03:57. Turkish athletes Nevin Can and Selin Can finished second and third.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
To Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/ – one time support or small monthly options available. Inquire information about it : info@borkena.com