News from the running world
British runner Esme Davies produced a stunning performance at the 2026 HOKA Semi de Paris on 8 March, crossing the finish line in 1:11:32. With that impressive time, Esme claimed fifth place among the women's elite field at one of the world's largest half marathons (the race featured nearly 50000 participants this year).
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo reclaimed the half marathon world record title with amazing time of 57:20 in Lisbon. Thanks to Kiplimo's incredible performance, the previous men's half marathon world record, set by Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha in 2024 in Valencia, was improved by 10 seconds.
Firefighter Lars Kegler from Speyer set a new world record over the half marathon distance while wearing breathing apparatus on 08 March 2026 in Kandel (Germany), where nearly 2200 runners participated in the 51st International Bienwald Marathon and the 48th National Half Marathon.
Ethiopia's Bikila Tadese Takele, the winner of the Tokyo Marathon 2025, defended his title in a stunning sprint finish at Tokyo Marathon 2026.
Tokyo Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega, who won the Seville Marathon in 2:05:15 on his debut at the distance in 2025, takes 7th place in Tokyo and breaks his personal best with an impressive time of 2:05:00.